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Pakistan declare at 247 for 9

Stroke-filled half centuries by Inzamam-ul-Haq and skipper Moin Khan and a fluent knock by left-hander Saeed Anwar helped Pakistan score 247 for nine declared on the opening day of their three-day match against the Board President's XI in Cochin today.

In reply, the Board President's XI openers Gagan Khoda (12) and the diminutive Shiv Sundar Das (14) hardly faced any trouble when play, which was extended to compensate the 45 minute loss of time owing to a delayed start following overnight rain, was called off at 5.45pm IST.

Moin Khan, leading the side as its key players Wasim Akram, Ijaz Ahmed, Salim Malik and Waqar Younis were rested, led a late charge after Inzamam pulled Pakistan from a precarious 99 for four with an innings of high character.

Haq's exit, after scoring a fine 65, triggered a collapse, but Moin Khan led a late charge with some fabulous shots and top-scored with 67, which helped Pakistan come close to the 250 mark. He declared the innings soon after he departed.

Batting first after winning the toss on a slow wicket with a heavy outfield, Pakistan lost both openers for only 44 runs. But Shahid Afridi entertained the sparse crowd during his brief stay before slashing outside the off stump to be caught behind by M S K Prasad off Laxmi Ratan Shukla.

Despite taking that first wicket, however, the medium-pacer from Bengal proved very expensive.

Afridi struck three fours in his 16-ball knock of 14 runs. The other opener, Mohammad Naveed, failed to make any impression, scoring just six in a stay of 52 minutes. He guided an outswinger from Debasis Mohanty for Gagan Khoda to dive to his left and bring off a fine catch at second slip.

UNI