Hinds, Sarwan show quality

Tony Becca, Senior Sport Editor

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: THE second Test between the West Indies and Pakistan fizzed to a draw at Kensington Oval on Monday and although captains James Adams and Moin Khan have defended their strategy on the final day, even though there were knowledgeable former stars who supported them, many fans remain disappointed that both teams opted to play it safe.

The first four days produced lovely cricket highlighted by some marvellous batting on a pitch which many, including Sir Garfield Sobers, believe was the best at Kensington in at least 25 years, and it was a pity that neither team was bold enough or confident enough to go for victory.

The West Indies contributed to the standoff - no doubt about that. Pakistan, however, was the main contributor. It is still a mystery why, after wiping off the first innings deficit of 145 in style, after racing to 219 without loss in 250 minutes off 57 overs and leading by 108 with seven wickets in hand at lunch on the fourth day, Pakistan backed off, scored only 92 runs for the rest of the day and instead of stepping up the pace on the final morning, added a mere 18 runs in the first 18 overs.

One explanation was that they were scared.

According to an experienced Pakistan writer, with only one Test to go, Pakistan, like the West Indies, did not want to lose and so leave themselves in a position where they could not win the series.

If that is so, if after hitting back with such a huge opening partnership during a splendid display which saw Imran Nazir and Mohammad Wasim totally dominating the West Indies bowling, Pakistan, with such a good attack, were scared of losing, they probably will never have the guts to win.

The disappointing finish apart, the second Test produced some magnificent cricket with the West Indies, led by their four fast bowlers and inspired by two great catches, one by captain James Adams and one by Wavell Hinds, starting off brilliantly and Pakistan fighting back to the extent where they were able to dictate toward the end.

The performance of the batsmen, however, was the lasting memory, and no one present will ever forget the stroke play of Yousuf Youhana, Sherwin Campbell, Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Nazir.

Youhana was brilliant in lifting Pakistan with a scintillating 115 in the first innings, Campbell was in fine form carrying the fight to the feared Pakistan attack, and with Pakistan fighting out of a corner, Nazir, at the tender age of 18, not only scored 131 off 180 deliveries while stroking 20 boundaries, but he did so with such maturity, technical competence and a range of strokes to suggest that Pakistan have found a star.

So too, however, the West Indies. In fact, in Hinds and Sarwan they probably have found two.

The 23-year-old Hinds, the left-hander who many felt should have been the one to make way for Sarwan, turned up at Kensington Oval, looked at the pitch, and batting in the manner which his friends at Kensington Cricket Club know he can bat, proceeded to play an innings of class - a fantastic 165 off 236 deliveries with 24 boundaries.

The size of the innings was one thing. What was really impressive, however, was the way he set about dealing with pacers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdur Razzaq and spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq.

There was no pushing and prodding. He was positive from the first delivery he faced, he started with drives in the "V", against both pacers and spinners, and after picking up the pace and bounce

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