MULTAN, 31 March 2004 — Pakistan’s brittle batting was exposed once again by an Indian attack that stuck to a simple script — line land length.

The result was Pakistan losing two wickets in every session of the three played yesterday — including one on the last ball of the day — to leave themselves in a hole against India in the first cricket Test here.

Chasing India’s 675 for five wickets declared, Pakistan ended the day at 364 for six with their last recognized batsman Abdul Razzaq unbeaten on 47.

With Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed to come, the prospect of Pakistan following-on looks extremely likely.

Despite over 1,000 runs being scored over three days at the lifeless Multan Cricket Stadium pitch, Pakistan struggled against an Indian attack that is on the ascendancy.

Suddenly the fourth day has taken a new dimension.

Only some determined batting by the Pakistanis in the remaining two days would prove that this is really a batting pitch.

The Indians nibbled away at the Pakistan batting with some accurate bowling, sticking to a nagging line to the middle and leg line.

The seam attack, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan — who was the pick of the bowlers using his pace and variety to sheer perfection — and Laxmipathy Balaji, stuck to their task admirably.

With the experienced Anil Kumble keeping one end tight, the result was inevitable.

Indian captain Rahul Dravid used his bowlers in short spells, expect for a long Kumble stint from one end.

It was during this spell that India gained the vital breakthrough.

Kumble ran one down the leg brilliantly and Inzamam ul-Haq, a wee bit slow on the stroke, saw the ball looping toward Aakash Chopra at forward short-leg off an inside-edge.

Chopra’s diving effort effectively put Pakistan in a spot.

It also broke the third wicket partnership of 160 runs between Inzamam and Yasir Hameed that had threatened to take the match away from India after Irfan and Balaji had put India on top by dismissing the openers.

Pakistan, resuming at 42 for no loss, failed to get off to a fine start when Irfan snared Taufeeq Umer with a delivery that left him.

The snick was held by Dravid at slips and at 58 for one, the tone of the day was set.

Though the batsmen flourished briefly, they could not build their innings.

Imran Farhat soon followed Umer as he shuffled across to a straighter Balaji delivery and was given leg before by umpire David Shepherd.

Yasir was joined by Inzamam in the middle and till they were together, Pakistan profited.

Inzamam played some delightful strokes on the off side in his 118 balls 77.

Among his 13 boundaries was a lazy square drive off Kumble that flashed through three fielders that boded some more.

But that one mistake was enough to undo all the good work.

Though Inzamam thought otherwise, as he made a slow trek to the pavilion, obviously indicating that he had not got a touch.

Yasir, who too cut and drove brilliantly, did not profit form the Laxman let-off at 82.

Just two ball before he got Inzamam out, Yasir was in trouble, failing to read the googly.

The ball hit the pad, touched his glove and Laxman at silly mid-off floored it.

With Yousuf Youhana in the middle with Yasir, things were still not that bleak.

But Yasir gifted his wicket away by chasing an Irfan’s away swinger and Parthiv Patel made no mistake.

Yasir had made 91 with 14 fours.

Youhana and Abdul Razzaq first, and Razzaq and Moin Khan next seemed to be taking the advantage away from India by grafting themselves in.

But as has been the run of the day, first Zaheer, having Youhana out caught Patel for 35 at 321 and then on the last ball of the day, Tendulkar’s beauty that slipped through between Moin’s legs to crash the stumps, told the tale emphatically.

Ganguly to Return Home, Will Miss Second Pakistan Test

Meanwhile, there was an announcement from Indian camp that captain Saurav Ganguly will fly home from Pakistan to have his injured back treated and will miss next week’s second Test in Lahore.

Team manager Ratnakar Shetty said Ganguly could return for the third and final Test in Rawalpindi from April 13 if doctors find him fit enough to play.

“There has been no sign of improvement in Ganguly’s condition over the last three to four days and he will go home to Calcutta to consult doctors there,” Shetty told reporters.

“He will return only if the doctors declare him fit to play.”

One-day specialist Mohammad Kaif will fly in on April 3 to replace Ganguly in the 15-man squad for the second Test starting at Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium on April 5.

Ganguly, 30, missed the ongoing first Test here when he hurt his lower back during last week’s fifth and final one-dayer in Lahore which India won to clinch the series 3-2.

Inzamam Blames English Curator for Lifeless Wicket

Pakistan captain Inzamam ul- Haq has blamed English curator Andy Atkinson for the dead wicket in the ongoing first Test against India, saying this was not the track his team wanted.

“The curator did not prepare the pitch we asked for,” Inzamam told reporters.

“We need hard and bouncy tracks because fast bowling is our strength. Even grassy wickets will not suit us because our bowlers are not seamers.”

“I have always said that I want to play on positive pitches, but this pitch does not suit us and I hope wickets in the remaining two Tests will be different,” Inzamam said.

Atkinson admitted a good wicket could not be prepared because of lack of time.

“I am sure there will be better wickets for the remaining Tests at Lahore and Rawalpindi,” Atkinson said.