Pakistan crawl as Azhar, Sohail hit halfcenturies

DUBAI: Haris Sohail and Azhar Ali produced half centuries against disciplined New Zealand bowling as Pakistan reached 207-4 on the opening day of the second Test on Saturday. Azhar made a patient 81 in 187 balls with seven fours and a six before he was run out, and left-handed Sohail overcame a shaky start to remain unbeaten on 81 off 240 deliveries at stumps. The pair needed more than 60 overs to raise a 126-run thirdwicket stand before Azhar’s dismissal in the final session after Sohail declined to go for a single and stood his ground at the non-striker’s end. Sohail hit 10 fours that included a square-cut boundary off Neil Wagner after tea to raise his fifty. Babar Azam was not out on 14..

Brief scores: Pakistan 207/4 (Azhar Ali 81, H Sohail 81*, C de Grandhomme 2/31) vs NZ

It is tough to decipher the phenomenon called MC Mary Kom --- a boxing superstar, mother of three, parliamentarian and an inspiration for young girls taking up the sport across the world. Maybe her popularity goes beyond such facts; it can’t be measured by mere statistics she has piled up rigorously in 17 long years. It has to be seen to be believed.

Each time she has entered the arena at the KD Jadhav Stadium with a nonchalant walk, oblivious to the clamorous chants of her name, her diminutive frame has appeared taller, bigger than the stage. Each time she has broken into that infectious toothy grin of hers after bouts she has appeared a rookie who has come out of the ring after winning her first bout. That’s Mary Kom’s eternal love for boxing. The legend and the sport revel in each other’s presence.

On Saturday, Mary fought ferociously to pull off a tough final against Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota by unanimous verdict (5-0) in the 48kg category for a record sixth world title and then melted in a sea of emotion.

The trickle of tears soon opened a floodgate as the packed stadium ceaselessly chanted her name. Mary grabbed a flag, thanked her fans. Tears just won’t stop as she made her way out of the arena draped in the tricolour.

“She has not slept for two days. Look at the crowd, the noise; she was under so much of pressure to win at home. Only Mary has the heart and courage to handle this. This is her moment,” said India’s chief coach Raffaele Bergamasco.

SONIA LOSES

Sonia Chahal though had to settle for silver in 57kg after losing 4-1 to Gabriele Ornella Wahner of Germany in a slugfest. India finished with one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

All these days, Mary has talked about the enormous pressure of boxing at home, her tough journey starting from 2001 when she opened her account in the World Championships with silver, and how different were those times --- when women’s boxing was struggling to find its feet, when the sport was seen as men’s bastion, when Mary would travel sometimes all by herself. “Mar khati thi aur phir