Pakistan continue the advantage!

Pakistan has the upper hand, but just at the end of the second day. Starting the day with India at 74-4, Ganguly and Yuvraj dealt with Shoaib, Razzaq and Asif with firm authority. Commanding drives and pulls, coupled with Shoaib Akhtar's firm refusal to bowl a line, took India to 137. Then, Razzaq moved Asif to third man, bowled Ganguly a rising short ball, who could only top-edge it straight down Asif's throat.

Dhoni played and missed a lot, striking some positive shots, while Yuvraj continued until Asif trapped him plumb in front for LBW with a ball that straighened. Three balls later, Dhoni edged one back to Akmal, and India were truly reeling at 165-7, Kumble shortly followed, trapped LBW by Akhtar, leaving India 181-8. Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan then put on a positive 56 for the 8th wicket, with some clean hitting by Pathan. Their cause was definitely helped by four dropped catches, one behind by Akmal (a tough, tough catch down leg), one in the slips by Younis (where he also lost a nail on each hand, OUCH!), one by Asif in the deep which should have been caught, and one by Shoaib in the deep.

Afridi finally took Irfan's wicket, tempting him into a lofted shot to deep mid-on. Zaheer Khan quickly followed, caught behind. Akmal continued his fine performance with 4 dismissals to his credit, while Asif and Razzaq impressed with figures of 4-78 and 3-67 respectively. Shoaib could have had better figures but his line was too variable, and his length too short. If you can believe it, Danish didn't bowl at all!!

Pakistan began their batting positively. Salman Butt and Imran Farhat put the memories of the first innings behind them, and put on a good 109 for the first wicket, until Salman Butt was dismissed for 53, with 10 fours. Imran Farhat followed at 122, for 57 with 10 fours. They both played some punishing off-side shots off anything even vaguely loose. Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf then settled things down almost immediately, guiding Pakistan to 173 for 2, with their usual brand of fast strike turnover and disdainly dispatch of loose deliveries.

Pakistan now has a 180 run lead, and with three days to go, a result is almost certain. Pakistan will look to have a score in excess of 350 to truly be in a solid position to pressure India. 3rd day should be intriguing!