Pakistan build after early Panesar blows

ABU DHABI: Monty Panesar ripped through Pakistan’s top order to reduce the hosts to 125 for four at the close of the third day of the second test on Friday, 55 runs ahead of England’s first innings total. Spinner Panesar, playing his first test match since 2009, dispatched opener Mohammad Hafeez (22), captain Misbah-ul-Haq (12) and Younis Khan (1) in Abu Dhabi to leave Pakistan struggling on 54 for four with England looking well-placed to avenge their 10-wicket defeat in the series opener last week. However, batsmen Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali dug in, roared on by the team’s passionate support as they put on an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 71. Security problems have forced Pakistan to play home matches in the Gulf, but...

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Australia on brink of India series sweep

ADELAIDE: Australia were on the brink of a series sweep after reducing India to 166 for six in their pursuit of 500 runs for an unlikely victory at the close of play on the fourth day of the fourth test on Friday. The hosts declared at 167-5 shortly after lunch on another sweltering day at the Adelaide Oval which, added to their 604-7 declared, put them 499 runs ahead of India’s first attempt of 272. Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Virat Kohli all crumbled once again before the Australian attack to leave the tourists 333 runs behind with a full day remaining. Ishant Sharma, who came in as a nightwatchman and had scored two, and Wriddhiman Saha, who had yet to score, will resume...

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