Kaneria key as tense final day beckons

By Chris Florence BBC World Service in Bangalore

Pakistan's quick scoring and late declaration on day four mean the final Test is still alive, but they will need a big showing from their spinners on day five to beat India.

TALKING POINT

Inzamam had lots to ponder over the timing of his declaration

The timing of any declaration is always going to be debatable.

Should a captain err on the side of caution, or show full confidence in his bowlers to dismiss the opposition in any given time and conditions?

That was the teaser for Inzamam-ul-Haq as his Pakistan team built a lead of 350 and more well into the final session on the fourth day.

Before the series started, serious questions were being asked about the lack of strength and experience of the Pakistan attack.

Now a nation is depending on it to square the series against their greatest rivals.

An overnight declaration would have lost Pakistan the chance to take a wicket or two on the fourth evening.

And had Pakistan batted on into the final day, India would themselves have lost interest in winning.

As it is, Inzamam may well have timed it just right to keep the game alive.

But, as always, only time will tell.

KEY MOMENT

A last-wicket stand of 53 between VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble used up vital time - and overs - either side of lunch.

After taking three of India's remaining four wickets in the first 50 minutes of the morning, Pakistan were planning to be batting for a second time before lunch and building on a lead of around 150.

Inzamam was forced to take the new ball to break the partnership which chipped away at Pakistan's lead and no doubt forced him to re-adjust his declaration.

PLAYER OF THE DAY

Kaneria will have plenty to do on the final day in Bangalore

In a Test match which has produced more than 1,300 runs on the first four days at almost 60 runs a wicket, it is going to take an outstanding bowling performance to make a mark.

But Danish Kaneria's 5-127 stands out.

He took two of the first three wickets on day four, at a time when India were looking to close the first-innings difference.

It's the second time in this series he's taken five or more in an innings, giving him 17 wickets in two and a half matches.

But his biggest challenge will come on the final day on a pitch with cracks at both ends.

He'll play a crucial part if Pakistan are to force their way to victory.

PROSPECTS

Inzamam's challenging declaration towards the end of the fourth day has made sure this game stays alive.

Pakistan will need to make early inroads into India's powerful line-up

But the way Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir came through the closing six overs with something to spare may just give the Pakistan captain cause to worry.

The pitch is cracked and it will be up to the spinners - Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan and Shahid Afridi - to expose the conditions.

But the bounce is still true and batsmen again showed on the fourth day that they can still dominate.

India are likely to consider their position at lunchtime.

If they are going for a win, they need to score at four runs an over, which is only a liittle more than the rate throughout the four days so far.

Pakistan, though, will need to make early inroads into India's powerful line-up.

It could be a tense and thrilling day