Practice bears fruit for Sehwag

Virender Sehwag

India opener Virender Sehwag was delighted to see his hard work in the nets come to fruition after blazing a brilliant double-century in the drawn opening Test against Pakistan in Lahore.

Sehwag revealed he was forced to get his head down on the practice ground after going past 50 just once in nine Test innings since he made 201, ironically also against Pakistan, last March.

And the extra preparation proved invaluable as Sehwag struck a superb 254 before being caught by Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal off seamer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan in what little time was available on the weather-affected fifth and final day.

“I just had to play a natural game, when the ball was there to be hit I hit it,” insisted Sehwag.

“That's the way I like to play. Rahul (Dravid) also supported me all the time in the partnership.

“I did not do any special preparation. I was not getting getting many runs prior to this so I really worked hard at home, and practised hard, that is all I did.”

Sehwag’s dismissal ended a record-breaking bid between him and Dravid.

The duo fell an agonising three runs short of the record opening partnership of 413 set by fellow Indians Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy against New Zealand half-a-century ago.

Sehwag provided the bulk of that partnership after scoring at more than a run-a-ball, and Dravid, who struck an unbeaten 128, revealed he was happy to play a supporting role to his free-scoring team-mate, insisting it was a joy to watch.

“It’s like the honours are even in this Test. We spent the first two days on the field and after that it required a really special batting performance, which we were able to do,” said Dravid.

“I had the best seat in the house to watch Veeru (Sehwag) batting. And he did all the batting, I just had to make sure I held one end up. I just had to play sensible and play my game as Veeru played his.”

Referring to Pakistan’s first innings score of 679 for nine declared, Dravid added: “Pakistan too came up with a very good batting performance. This entire series is going to be very competitive.

"And hopefully, with good weather and good conditions we will have a good match at Faisalabad.”

Dravid failed to add to his overnight score as the tourists closed on 410 for one after seeing less than three overs bowled following a disrupted final day’s play.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq believes his side will not change ahead of the second Test, which begins on January 21, despite a poor performance from his bowling attack which claimed just one wicket.

“It was a good pitch to bat on, Our bowlers did not do too well. They did not put the ball in the right places,” he admitted.

“It is difficult to say now what changes are likely for the next Test.

We will probably have the same side.
“Most players did well. I hope the Faisalabad Test will be a good fast match so we can have a good match.”

Inzamam contributed only one run to his side’s mammoth first innings score but will have been pleased as four players reach triple figures.

Younis Khan (199), Mohammad Yousuf (173), Shahid Afridi (103) and Kamran Akmal (102) contributed tons as an amazing 1089 runs were scored for the loss of just eight wickets throughout the match.