Inzamam, Afridi make merry

* Shahid Afridi smashed a brilliant 156 studded with 20 fours and six sixes. He became only the fourth Pakistani batsman to score two more hundreds in successive innings against India. See Table 1

* By reaching his century with a huge six off Irfan Pathan, Afridi became the ninth Pakistani batsman to reach three-figures with a six. It was also the 13th such instance against India. See Table 2

* The 251-run partnership between Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq is now the highest against India and the third highest for Pakistan for the fifth-wicket in Test cricket. Inzamam and Afridi had put on 163 overnight, but at the start of second day’s play Afridi was joined by Razzaq after Inzamam was injured and the two added a further 88 runs. See Table 3

* Inzamam-ul-Haq scored his 25th century. He is now only the tenth player to score 25 or more Test hundreds. This was also Inzi’s fifth three-figure knock as captain after turning 35. He became only the eighth captain in Test cricket to score five or more tons after his 35th birthday. Just for record, Graham Gooch holds the record of scoring most hundreds in this regard. See Table 4 & 5.

* Inzamam’s brilliant hundred was his third against India as captain. He has now equalled Imran Khan as the most by a Pakistani captain against India. Now only Clive Lloyd and Don Bradman have scored more centuries while leading the side against India. See Table 6

* This was also Inzi’s fourth ton in his post 100th Test match. He joined Allan Border with four or more tons after the 100th Test match of the player career. Interestingly, Steve Waugh has scored an astonishing 15 centuries when he got past his centenary Test. See Table 7

* Pakistan by being bundled out for 588, just missed chance of becoming the first side in Test cricket to score three consecutive 600 plus scores in as many innings. They have now equalled Sri Lanka’s record of most 550-plus scores in consecutive innings. Sri Lanka had registered three scores of above 550 against India, Bangladesh and West Indies in 2001-02 season. See Table 8. Click to see the tables