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Rain delays start on fifth day

Source: PTI
Last updated on: January 17, 2006 14:38 IST
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Heavy early morning showers ruled out a prompt start to play on the last day of the first Test between India and Pakistan at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.

Rain has rendered the ground soggy and excess water on the sheets covering the pitch is being removed by super soppers.

Play was not possible till lunch though both teams came out on the ground.

The outfield is very wet and the sky still overcast. The umpires, after a third inspection at 1315 IST, said play is likely to commence at 1430.

The match is heading for a certain draw with not even one innings of both teams completed in four days of the weather-hit tie.

Though the proceedings in the game now are only of academic importance; the Indian camp is looking forward to creating a new world record for the opening partnership, with skipper Rahul Dravid (128) and Virender Sehwag (247) unconquered in the team's total of 403 for no loss in 75 overs.

India's total is in reply to Pakistan's first innings of 679 for 7 declared.

Dravid and Sehwag are closing in on the existing half-a-century-old record of countrymen Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy, who had put on 413 for the first wicket against New Zealand in the 1955-56 series in Chennai.

Sehwag is also well in sight of his second Test triple hundred against Pakistan.

He has slammed 46 boundaries and a six in his pulverising unbeaten innings, which was compiled at better than a-run-a-ball on a placid pitch.

The Delhi buccaneer holds the Indian record for the highest Test score -- 309 -- that he notched in Multan two years ago.

Bad light and inclement weather robbed plenty of playing time on the third and fourth days of the match.

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