Scoreboard chaos gives Pakistani batsman century

Inzamam, who was stranded on 98 not out when Pakistani captain Wasim Akram declared the first innings against India A on the first day Saturday, was granted two additional runs 48 hours later.

Akram apparently saw one of the two scoreboards at the Roop Singh stadium credit the batsman with 100 and called his side's declaration Saturday.

But the official scoresheet showed Inzamam only had 98 when Akram declared the innings.

Hectic behind-the-scenes activity finally saw Inzamam credited with his ton in the score book. The man to suffer was young Yousuf Youhanna, the genuine century-maker in the innings, who had two runs lopped off his 124.

Inzamam, however, was denied a second century in the match when he was bowled by upcoming allrounder Laxmi Shukla for 96 in the second innings on Monday.

Neither the two Indian umpires, Manjit Singh and K.S. Gridharan, or match officials were willing to discuss how or why the swap was made.

Pakistani manager Shahryar Khan, confirming that Inzamam had indeed been granted two extra runs, said the confusion was `` because of a misunderstanding.''

``The scoreboard showed him at 100 and the batsman also acknowledged the applause from the crowd, prompting Akram to declare on the first day,'' Khan, a former Pakistani foreign secretary, said.

He said it would be unfair to Inzamam if he ended his career with 99 first-class centuries.

It is perhaps the first known incident of scorebooks being officially altered in a first-class match to please a team.

Pakistan, making their first Test tour of India in 12 years, are due to begin the first Test in Madras from Thursday.

Veteran batsman Salim Malik defied a hamstring injury to make 122 as Pakistan took their overnight score of 107 for five wickets to 272 before being all out midway through the afternoon session.

Malik, who is expected to be fit by Thursday, helped Inzamam add 148 for the sixth wicket after five wickets had fallen for 23 on the second day.

India A, facing a near-impossible victory target of 331 in 40 overs, were 111-5 in their second innings at close. India's latest Test opener Sadagopan Ramesh made 56.