INDIA V PAKISTAN 3rd Test: Ganguly, Yuvraj & Irfan Light Up Bengaluru as India Clinch the Series

#IndiaVsPakistan #INDvsPAK #Ganguly #SouravGanguly #YuvrajSingh #IrfanPathan #IndiaCricket #PakistanCricket #TestCricket #CricketHighlights #CricketHistory #IndianCricket #IndiaPakistan #BengaluruTest #2007Cricket When India left Pakistan just 47 overs to score an improbable 374 for victory, the Bangalore Test appeared to be meandering to a draw. As the opening pair added 44, thoughts turned to how soon the match could be called off but dramatic interventions from Anil Kumble and Yuvraj Singh pushed Pakistan to the precipice before bad light saved them from acute embarrassment with 11 overs still to be bowled. The playing conditions didn't allow the use of floodlights, leaving India to rue a declaration that probably came half an hour too late. However, they would have been satisfied to clinch their first home Test series victory against Pakistan since 1979-80. Even when Yasir Hameed and Younis Khan fell in the space of four balls, one bowled by a Kumble express and the other popping up a return catch, it appeared to be a wobble rather than a quake. Salman Butt and Faisal Iqbal steadied the innings with a 29-run stand and, when Butt got a thin edge behind to give Kumble his third wicket of the innings, Pakistan decided to blast their way out of trouble. With the fielders crowding the bat, cuts and drives flew to the boundary as Misbah-ul-Haq and Iqbal added 73 at seven an over. Only nine balls remained for the mandatory overs to start when Kumble struck again. A short and fast one drew Iqbal into the pull, and when it looped up to Ishant Sharma at mid-on, all thoughts of handshakes and an early finish disappeared. Kamran Akmal walked out to join Misbah, but this time Pakistan's premier rescue act couldn't even get started. Kumble started his cricket as a medium-pace bowler and those roots were very much in evidence in the quicker delivery that deviated away just enough to peg back Akmal's off stump. Mohammad Yousuf avoided the hat-trick, but Yuvraj Singh, the birthday boy, then left his mark on proceedings. An arm ball ended Misbah's cameo on 37, while Yasir Arafat had no answers to one that went straight on. Given the batting qualities of Shoaib Akhtar and Danish Kaneria, India were effectively three decent balls away from a famous victory, but Mohammad Sami kept Yousuf company long enough for the umpires to bring their light-meters out. Once they asked the question, the batsmen were off like a cannonball shot. India vs Pakistan 3rd Test 2007, India Pakistan Bengaluru Test 2007, India vs Pakistan Test 2007 highlights, Ganguly 239, Sourav Ganguly 239 vs Pakistan, Yuvraj Singh 169, Yuvraj 169 vs Pakistan, Irfan Pathan 102, Irfan Pathan century 2007, India Pakistan 2007 Test series, India won series against Pakistan 2007, Bengaluru Test 2007, India Pakistan cricket rivalry, classic India Pakistan Test, Indian cricket throwback, old cricket match highlights, India Test cricket 2007, Ganguly Yuvraj Irfan Pathan, India batting masterclass, India Pakistan Test highlights