India 171/3 in second innings, need 32 to win first Test against Pak

New Delhi, Nov 25 (UNI) Sachin Tendulkar (32) and Sourav Ganguly (48) steered India closer to victory target of 203 after Wasim Jaffer (53) laid the foundation of their run chase as the hosts ended the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan on 171 for 3 at Feroz Shah Kotla here today.

India now need just 32 runs on the final day with seven wickets in hand and it should be a formality tomorrow save for a dramatic batting collapse.

At stumps, 15.1 overs early due to fading light, Ganguly was batting on 48 (61 balls; 8X4) and Tendulkar was giving him company on a sedate 32 (86 balls; 5X4).

The duo shared 78 runs for the fourth wicket in 21.3 overs to take India out of troubles after being reduced to 93 for three just after tea.

Tendulkar also became the second most prolific Test cricketer when he reached 24 in his innings of 32.

Playing in his 141st match and 228th innings, Tendulkar surpassed former Australia captain Allan Border (11174 runs).

The Little Master, at a batting average of 54.81, is now behind former West Indies captain Brian Lara who has 11953 runs to his credit from 131 matches (232 innings) at an average of 52.88. Border had made 11174 runs from 156 matches (265 innings) at 50.56 average.

In the morning session, India were a set a victory target of 203 after Pakistan were all out for 247 in their second innings.

India suffered early jolt in their run chase, though, as they lost Dinesh Karthik for one and team score of two in the first over, edging Shoaib Akhtar to wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal after facing five balls.

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