Pakistan fight back against India

Second Test, Calcutta (day three, stumps): India 616-5 v Pakistan 358-6

Pakistan staged a spirited fight back on day three of the second Test against India in Calcutta.

The hosts posted a first innings total of 616-5 declared and, after resuming on 50-1, Pakistan lost four wickets in the morning session.

But a sixth wicket stand of 207 between Misbah-ul-Haq (108 not out) and Kamran Akmal (119) gave the tourists hope.

Younus Kahn's side require 417 to avoid the follow-on and closed on 358-6, with Mohammad Sami partnering Misbah.

Pakistan's day got off to a dreadful start as Salman Butt (42) and Mohammad Yousuf (6) fell to Harbhajan Singh in successive overs.

Already one down after Anil Kumble trapped Yasir Hameed leg before wicket the previous evening, Butt edged to Rahul Dravid at slip as he tried to drive a flighted delivery.

Harbhajan exploited the Eden Gardens wicket as it began to break up and eight deliveries later Yousuf was bowled attempting to play against the spin.

Stand-in captain Younus offered stubborn resistance, forging a 49-run fourth-wicket stand with Misbah-ul-Haq, but then flashed at a ball Munaf Patel, nicking behind to Mahendra Dhoni for 43.

When Faisal Iqbal fell for a duck, lbw to Kumble, Pakistan were in tatters on 150-5.

But, staring at the prospect of a tame series defeat, Misbah and Akmal rallied.

The pair showed tremendous composure under intense pressure, their only piece of fortune coming when Akmal was dropped at long-leg by Patel on 87.

Much like Pakistan on day two, India were devoid of ideas on a slow pitch and turned unsuccessfully to both Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.

Akmal quickened the run rate and completed his fifth Test century - the most by any Pakistan wicket-keeper - with a cut through backward point.

Misbah was soon to follow, his patience resulting in a maiden Test ton when he flicked Kumble to deep square leg.

But just when the partnership looked set to reach stumps in tact, Akmal lost his concentration.

The 25-year-old saw his stunning knock come to an end when Harbhajan got one to spin back and dissect his bat and pad.

That bought Sami to the crease but soon after the batsmen took the umpires offer of the light.

India hold a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series following their first Test victory in New Delhi and with the final one in Bangalore.

Source: BBC Sport