Pakistan level series with a good win

Visakhapatnam, Aug 8 (UNI) Pakistan played a superb game to thrash India 3-1 to level the five test series 1-1 at the Rajiv Gandhi Port Trust Indoor Stadium here today.

Trailing by a set, Pakistan brought in a good combination in the remaining three sets to stave off India's challenge 26-28, 30-28, 25-16, 25-20 in a 103 minute encounter.

''India's failure was largely due to poor reception, service and blocking'' skipper Srikanth said after the match.

''Pakistan's counter attack and blocking were much improved compared to the first match,'' he added.

India was in the lead from the start and maintained it till 18-13 in the first set, but Pakistan capitalizing on India's mistakes levelled 19 and at 24, 25, and 26. At this juncture, Indian skipper Srikanth along with Sanjay Kumar and Vibin M George played superbly to clinch the issue.

India, substituting Jitender for Vibin could not recover and Pakistan raced to 8-1, which dented India's confidence. With poor reception, it was a very hard task for the Indians to reduce the opponents' margin. They levelled at 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. But Pakistan won on extra points 30-28.

It was the similar story in the third set also as Paksitan raced to a 5-1 lead initially and stayed ahead till the end. In the crucial fourth set, although India gained an early lead it could not retain it as Pakistan drew level at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 16. But again Pakistan capitalized on India's poor reception and net blocks to increase its lead to 23-19 and won the set 25-20.

With the series levelled 1-1, the test in Chennai on August 10 will be crucial for both teams.

Result : Pakistan beat India 26-28, 30-28, 25-16, 25-20.

UNI