India v/s pakistan,Banglor test, first day-India 365-3

BANGALORE, Chinnaswamy Stadium- Saurav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh struck historical centuries. A record fifth wicket partnership of 300 runs to help India overcome a poor start and reach 365 for five at the close of the opening day of the third and final test against Pakistan on Saturday.Ganguly and Yuvraj surpassed the previous best stand for the fifth wicket against Pakistan, of 200 between Ravi Shastri and Sandeep Patil at Faisalabad in 1984-85.Great Ganguly was unbeaten on 125 and Yuvraj hit a career-best 169 before he was caught by Faisal Iqbal off Mohammad Sami. The Punjab batsman slammed 28 boundaries and a six off 203 balls.They help the hosts recover from 61 for four after choosing to bat. Yuvraj completed his third Test century when he cover drove Yasir Arafat for his 18th boundary after facing 137 balls. Earlier in the over he had stylishly square cut the bowler to the third man fence.Pakistani debutant Yasir Arafat grabbed three early wickets to give the visitors, who trail the three-match series 1-0, a great start in seaming conditions.Pakistan spearhead Shoaib Akhtar was at his hostile best and struck Rahul Dravid (19) on his shoulder with a delivery that lifted sharply.But Shoaib left the field during the second session for a scan after complaining of back pain. A Pakistan team spokesman said the injury-prone bowler was expected to take the field on Sunday. Mohammad Sami provided an early breakthrough when he had a Gautam Gambhir edge behind for five for his first wicket in the series.All-rounder Arafat, dismissed Dravid, opener Wasim Jaffer (17) and Vangipurappu Laxman (5) in an impressive display of seam bowling.Arafat then dismissed Jaffer in the next over when the second test double centurion shouldered arms to a delivery that cut back sharply and was trapped in front.Laxman was then dismissed when he played a low delivery from Arafat onto his stumps.The visitors were unable to add to their success, however, as in-form Ganguly and Yuvaj, player of the series of the preceding one-dayers, took control after settling in.

-Cricket-In form Misbah almost turned his back on game

Misbah-ul-Haq, who has ignited his Pakistan career in recent months, said he almost turned his back on the game at the age of 23 in favour of a business career.He studied for his MBA in business management and only started playing top-level cricket at 24."Before my first-class debut I was in two minds about which way to go but I chose cricket because of my love and passion for the game," the 33-year-old Misbah told Reuters."Even after two years of choosing cricket though I thought I might have chosen wrong. But in 1999 my fortunes changed, I made my first-class debut and two years later was playing against New Zealand on my test debut."Ever since I have not had any thoughts in my mind apart from playing cricket. I'm now really happy."Misbah was a fringe player for Pakistan three months ago but a successful Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa and a maiden test century against India in Calcutta this week have boosted his credentials.He scored 161 not out at Eden Gardens as Pakistan replied to India's intimidating total of 616 for six declared.Misbah's partnership of 207 with Kamran Akmal earned a draw which means Pakistan can level the series if they win the third and final test which starts here on Saturday