Misbahs wicket would have turned the match: Harbhajan

Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh today said that the first Test match against Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium here was equally balanced at the end of the third days play, adding that the hosts would have ended the day with an upper edge had Wasim Jaffer not dropped the catch of Misbah-ul Haq.

By Vikram Vishal

New Delhi, Nov 24 : Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh today said that the first Test match against Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium here was equally balanced at the end of the third day's play, adding that the hosts would have ended the day with an upper edge had Wasim Jaffer not dropped the catch of Misbah-ul Haq.

Addressing reporters at the close of the day's play, Harbhajan said the team was happy to get rid of five Pakistani batsman in the last session of the day, but, he said, the situation would have been much better for India had Misbah's easy catch at forward short leg not been dropped.

"Who knows Pakistan might have lost seven, eight, nine wickets, or would even have been all out by the end of the day had that catch been taken," he said.

"But no one drops catches intentionally...we'll have to play better tomorrow," Harbhajan added.

Pakistan has already taken a lead of 167 runs with five more wickets left, but the off-spinner feels that India has a good chance in the match.

"If we play good cricket, we should not be bothered about the target we will have chase.... We have a lot of quality and experienced batsmen and hopefully they click at the right time," he said in response to what target would the host team like to get in the fourth innings.

Earlier, Pakistani batsman Salman Butt said that they would try to set a target of anything above 300.

"Anything over 300 will be a good target for fourth innings, as this total is always tough to get on any kind of wicket in the fourth innings," Butt said.

However, he added that the Indian batting line-up has got a lot experience and depth, and that the Pakistani bowlers would have to bowl really well to bowl them out.

At stumps on day three, Pakistan were 212 runs for the loss of five wickets, taking a lead by 167 runs.

Misbah-ul-Haq was batting at 29, while wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal remained unbeaten on 21, avoiding any further damage to the batting line-up, which fumbled to spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhaj Singh.

ANI