Hobart, Nov 19: There is a final drop of venom that transforms a goodbowler into a great one
A. Jalil20-Nov-1999Hobart, Nov 19: There is a final drop of venom that transforms a goodbowler into a great one. Saqlain Mushtaq’s bowling has contained thatdeadly ingredient long enough to put him in that category. Hisremarkable figures today simply provided further evidence of hisstature.It was the virtuoso bowling and tenacity of Pakistan that came to thefore, halfway through the second day’s play. Having taken much flakfor their batting and again for their work in the field, they battledhard just when this Test and, indeed, the series was perilously closeto slipping away.Australia were comfortably placed with their opening batsmen settingthem off with a flying start of 76 and when that was extended to 191for the loss of just one wicket, it looked most ominous for Pakistanwith their meagre first innings total.It would appear that a lunch time pep talk spurred them on, not onlyto some controlled bowling but in the field as well, for they haddropped Michael Slater earlier on 36 when there was a chance of arunning catch at back-ward square-leg and again on 68 at point.He had, nevertheless, batted beautifully and his drives of the backfoot were a delight to watch. He had been severe on Waqar Younis inthe first session of play when 30 runs came off seven over with thelast over going for 12. But not long after lunch Waqar began to giveglimpses of his former self when he was the spearhead of the Pakistanattack.Meanwhile, Slater had progressed to 97 when he was dropped again, thistime by Wasim Akram at slip. It was a low but simple enough chance offSaqlain. The Pakistan captain was, however, relieved that withoutfurther addition to Slater’s score, Saqlain struck his first blow. Itwas the seventh time the Australian was dismissed in the 90s in Tests.Thereafter, the combined pace and spin attack of Pakistan proved to beso potent. Waqar trapped Mark Waugh leg before wicket and on the samescore of 206 Saqlain got a bat/pad decision against Justin Langer. Thebatsman had, however, in reaching a half-century, probably ensured hisplace for the next Test on his home ground in Perth. He was the onlybatsman in the Australian team who was in need of runs to hold hisplace.Pakistan bowlers had now taken control and Waqar struck once again. Heproduced an absolute beauty which came in late to slip of RickyPonting’s off-stump. Waqar had found his rhythm and consequently hisspeed and ball movement.In his previous over, he beat Steve Waugh with one that moved theother way and the Australian captain survived a close call for legbefore wicket.Australia’s innings had taken a battering with Waqar and Saqlainclaiming two wickets each but the dramatic end of the innings was keptfor the final session of the day. His renowned ‘mystery ball’ whichdrifts away from the right-handed batsman, although bowled with theoff-spinners action, mesmerized three of his four victims of thatsession.To the left-handed Adam Gilchrist, the ball came in as he went forwardto drive, looking for an away movement, and was beaten and stumped.Shane Warne fell to the next ball and Saqlain was desperately unluckynot to get a hat trick with the third ball, Damien Fleming survivingan appeal for stumping. He went three balls later. It was an over ofhigh class bowling and Australia had lost three wickets on the samescore of 236.When Australia’s innings finally ended, they had lost their ninewickets for 122 in just over twenty overs. It had been and amazingturn around and although it was a great fight back by Pakistan, it wasSaqlain Mushtaq’s day. His six for 46 were his Test career best butwicket to wicket, he had six for 17 in amazing 56 ball spell that torethe heart out of the Australian innings.Saqlain had put his team back in the game and, by the end of the day,Pakistan on 61 for 1, had found themselves in a position of strength.