Dravid Steers India Through Blip

Rahul Dravid steered India through a post-lunch blip as they reached a commanding position at tea on the second day of the third and final Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

Dravid was still at the crease on 84 as India reached 203 for three in their first innings, just 21 runs adrift of Pakistan's 224, after putting on 129 for the second wicket with wicketkeeper-opener Parthiv Patel, in for specialist opener Aakash Chopra..

Patel amassed his highest Test innings of 69, before he was caught behind off Fazl-e-Akbar just after lunch.

With one end opened up, the hosts then threatened to get back into the match when Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed third ball by Shoaib Akhtar, leaving India on 130-3.

After grabbing his second victim of the game following the first-ball dismissal of Virender Sehwag last night, the 'Rawalpindi Express' then steamed in and had new batsman WS Laxman and Dravid hopping around during a hostile spell.

But Laxman and Dravid survived the onslaught to steer India past the 200-mark as they look to post a healthy first innings lead in a match which will decide the series.

Laxman reached a fluent 36 whilst Yasir Hameed missed a priceless opportunity to dismiss anchor man Dravid, dropping him when he was on 71 off the bowling of Mohammed Sami.

In the morning session the Pakistani attack was frustrated by high quality batting as Dravid and Patel added 96 to the overnight total of 23-1.