By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, IANS
Kolkata : Kamran Akmal was a relieved man Sunday after scoring a century and taking Pakistan closer to avoiding follow-on in the second Test against India here, and earned praise even from Harbhajan Singh, who finally dismissed him.
“It was tough time for us and the wicket was also not playing easy. To score the runs here was very satisfying,” Akmal told reporters after scoring a patient 119 to help Pakistan to 358 for six in reply to India’s 616 for five wickets declared.
“This century was difficult. There was (vocal) crowd, pressure …,” he said referring to the almost packed Eden Gardens.
“I wanted to play a positive game. That was also the advice of the coach and captain,” said Akmal after scoring his fifth century.
Akmal also thanked Misbah-ul-Haq, with whom he added 207 for the sixth wicket. Misbah himself scored an unbeaten 108, which was his maiden Test century.
With two full days left in the five-day game. Akmal said that it was still anybody’s match.
“There are still two days left and the wicket is not easy to bat on. I think that the match is very open. We need to score at least 80 runs more,” he said.
Pakistan now require 59 to avoid the follow on.
Akmal said it would, however, not be easy for Pakistan as India have experienced spinners in Anil Kumble and Harbhajan, who took two and three wickets respectively.
Harbhajan also lauded Akmal’s knock.
“I think Misbah and Akmal batted really well. At the start, they were not sure about the pace of the wicket, but once they got in, they batted really well,” said Harbhjan.
Unlike Akmal, Harbhajan felt that India had a good chance of winning the match and going 2-0 up in the three-match series.
“We were always in the game, and we have a good chance to win this Test match and finish off the game here itself,” he said.
“It was just a matter of that getting that one wicket. But credit goes to those two guys; they batted really superbly. We just have to go out tomorrow and get the remaining wickets (soon) and then decide what to do.”
Looking ahead, Harbhajan said: “The first session tomorrow is very important. We will look to taking the remaining four wickets and then decide our planning.
“This match will surely produce a result. We are still in the driver’s seat as we have a lot of runs in hand so will hope to clean up the remaining wickets quickly. We will then make a decision on whether to bat or bowl. We have not yet decided on the follow-on.”
India lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test by six wickets in Delhi.