Whatever is going to be the resultant outcome of final Test of the ongoing Pakistan-India cricket series one thing that has become more than clear is the fact, that the three-Test series revived public interest in the Test matches. By every reckoning, Test cricket had become almost a non-event, and was on the verge of vanishing from memories of the masses of the subcontinent. This had sprung about because of the increasing number of one-day internationals being played the world over.
By far, it had seriously overshadowed the beauty of the five-day Test dogfights especially as the younger generation has not displayed any in the longer version of the game.
But from the very first day of the current Pakistan-India series that was the first between the two arch-rivals after 1999 has created interests with thrilling ups and downs in the clash between the best two fine teams of the world. Pakistan saved the first Test at Mohali, lost the second in Kolkata and piled up a huge first inning score of 570 to make the fight as result oriented. So far, the tussle has never been boring, as it was believed that Test matches mostly wind up without any result. The enthusiasm among the cricket lovers on both sides of border caught fire from the very first day of the series. Stars of both the teams showed some glittering batting styles and catchy spinning spells, producing thrilling struggles and results that involved millions to watch the priceless fight to gain the ascendancy.
As the last match of the series is in progress, the remarkable and memorable knock played by skipper Inzamamul Haq and vice-captain Younis Khan have already assured them a place in the history of cricket. Cricket has always been a game of records and numbers, but each time when history is created, it attracts cricket lovers.
When Inzamam took the centre-stage in Banglore after the disgust and disappointment over the inept performances of his openers, he was certainly under heavy stress. But the man who took charge of the team was a seasoned world-class batsman and was playing his 100th Test match. Before taking the field for his 100th Test, Inzamam had announced his willingness to make it Test as memorable one of his long career.
Both Inzamam and Younis knocked the sting out of the Indian attack and surpassed the previous third wicket stand of 134 for Pakistan at this venue between Mudassir Nazar and Javed Minadad.
The unique pair also went past Gordon Greenidge and Clive Lloyd's partnership of 207, which was the all-time high for this wicket in Bangalore.
Inzamam hit another historical point and became the fifth batsman in history to join a prestigious group of cricketers to have scored centuries in their 100th Test match.
Only Colin Cowdrey, Javed Minadad, Gordon Greenidge and Alec Stewart had achieved the feat before him. The captain and vice captain who produced a huge 316-run partnership for the third wicket, was another record at this ground.
For this record partnership, the beginning was too depressive as the 'gambling boy Shahid Afridi and Yasir Hameed returned within three overs and only because chasing balls outside the off-stump needlessly.
But it was Inzamam who initiated confidence-building measure (CBM) and guided Younis to follow his cautious, confident and glittering style. He fired.
A magnificent 184 not out and Younis an unbeaten 127 on first day and finished the day bagging 323 runs in 90 overs.
Inzamam hit 25 boundaries in his 184, spread to all parts of the ground silencing the 30,000 crowds filled with enthusiasm and pride of winning Kolkata Test.
Inzamamul made his 100th Test a really memorable one with a delightful unbeaten century and then dedicated his knock to his father who flew in especially for the captain's milestone match.
He said it was difficult to stay at such a high temperature and the pressure after the loss of those two early wickets. For Inzamam it was tough to keep his concentration intact while piling runs at the same time. He said he was happy to have played such an innings for the team.
On the other day Younis Khan continued with the full concentration, patience and confidence and ended up with another record.
He struck a career-best 267 to help Pakistan to an imposing first innings 570 on the second day of the third and final Test against India.
Younis, played his 35th Test hammered 32 fours and a six in his marathon 504-ball knock. He played for over eleven hours and did not tire until the end of this game. It was the highest score by a Pakistani batsman in India, surpassing Saeed Anwar's 188 not out in Kolkata in 1999, and the sixth highest for Pakistan overall.
INZAMAM'S CARRIER AT A GLANCE: Test Debut: v England, Birmingham, 1992. 100 Tests, 7,422 runs, 21 centuries.
One Day: 336 One-day Internationals, 10,631 runs, highest score 137 not out, average 39.66, 10 100s and 78 50s.
1992 - January 17, scores first one-day century, 101 against Sri Lanka in his hometown, before following it up with 117 in the next match at Rawalpindi.
- Helps Pakistan win the World Cup with 42 off 35 balls against England.
1993 - Scores first Test century, 123 against West Indies in Antigua.
1994 - Makes his highest one-day score of 137 not out against New Zealand in the sem-finals of the Austral-Asia Cup tournament in Sharjah.
1996 - Had a poor World Cup scoring just 145 runs in five innings.
1997 - Had a strong home Test series against South Africa and West Indies scoring 438 runs in the six matches.
1998 - Poor form in Tests, scoring just 231 runs in 14 innings at an average of 17.76.
1999 - Scores 1,106 one-day runs at an average of 46.08.
March, scores 200 not out in the Asian Test Championship final against Sri Lanka.
2000 - Surpassed 1,000 one-day runs for second year running. Also scored more than 1,000 Test runs, including four centuries and six half centuries.
2001 - Continues fine run of Test form, scoring three centuries in five Tests at an average of 70.28.
2002 - Scored a Test best of 329 against New Zealand, the second-highest score by a Pakistani in Tests.
2003 - Had a terrible run during the World Cup in South Africa, making just 19 runs in six innings, including a second-ball duck against the Netherlands.
September - Appointed captain in place of Rashid Latif.
2004 - Suffered severe criticism after Pakistan lost both the one-day and Test series at home against India.
September scored his 10,000th ODI run with 41 in a Champions Trophy match against India at Edgbaston.
2005 - March, played 100th Test in India.