Jaffer century helps India hook-up treble-ton against depleted Pa

Kolkata, Nov 30 (UNI) India motored towards a massive first innings total, finishing the opening day of the second Test against a depleted Pakistan at 352 for three with Wasim Jaffer towering on an unbeaten 192.

Play was called off 5.3 overs before scheduled close due to bad light.

The hero of the day was Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer who hit his maiden ton against Pakistan, tearing apart a toothless Pakistan attack on an unbeaten 192, with 32 boundaries spread over 255 balls.

At stumps, giving Jaffer company was Sourav Ganguly on 17 not out.

But, he will have a huge pressure of proving himself at Eden as his average here is just above 27 from the 12 innings.

He looked to be in fine form and showed his eagerness, running a three even after slashing a ball to the boundary off Danish Kaneria.

Jaffer was involved in two brilliant partnerships, first with Rahul Dravid for 136 runs and then with Sachin Tendulkar for 175 runs as India ruled the Eden with majestic poise.

Jaffer looked in phenomenal touch since morning. He is one of the most stylish right-hand openers that India has ever had and he played with cautious aggression reaching 65 at lunch.

His 50 came off just 64 balls as he drove Sohail Tanvir down the ground and then backed it with an elegant square- cut. His innings was one of raw stroke-play milled with delicate batting, an affair to remember between the willow and leather.

His 100 also came in quick time off just 150 balls that was decked with 18 boundaries and more importantly a focused determination that was lacking earlier. This was also his fifth Test century from 24 matches.

He and Dravid put on 136 runs for the second wicket, before Dravid fell for 50 to a howler of a decision from Billy Doctrove. If Koertzon came to Kolkata from Australia as after wrongly giving Kumar Sangakara out and apologizing, Dravid owes one from Doctrove.

He was given out caught behind off Danish Kaneria when the replays showed his bat was nowhere near the cherry.

Dravid looked in his Eden touch, that has seen him mammoth totals here.

Dravid with an unbeaten 35 at lunch raised visions of another vintage innings hand-picked from the annals of cricket history as he flicked the balls of his pads and mixed them with elegant drives. A square drive off Mohammed Sami and a flick off Kaneria were to be remembered forever.

The 100 of the Indian innings came of just 25.3 overs with Jaffer looking a picture of confidence and Dravid, ''The Wall'' as ever, and they both built the innings brick by brick as they reached their century partnership off 153 balls with the former notching up another boundary of his legs.

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