Bangalore

Anil Kumble raised visions of a dramatic Indian victory with a five-wicket haul before Pakistan managed to escape with a draw in the third and final Test on Wednesday. The veteran leg-spinner grabbed 5-60 with shrewd variations on a wearing track as Pakistan finished at 162-7 in fading light chasing an improbable 374-run target off 48 overs on the fifth and final day.

In-form Saurav Ganguly cracked 91 to lead India to 221 for five at lunch on the last day of the third and final Test against Pakistan on Wednesday. Ganguly and Rahul Dravid (42) took their overnight third-wicket stand to 152 after the hosts had resumed at 131 for two.

Pakistan grabbed two quick wickets to spark some life into the third and final Test on Tuesday after Misbah-ul-Haq’s unbeaten century brought the visitors 89 runs short of India’s first-innings total of 626. In-form Misbah struck 133 and was involved in two fruitful partnerships to help the visitors, resuming at 369-5, post 537.

Pakistan’s new crisis men Misbah-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal defied India in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand after Younis Khan’s masterly 80 in the third and final Test on Monday. In-form Misbah struck a controlled 54 and Akmal a gritty 32 as the visitors, searching for a series-levelling victory, ended day three on 369-5.

The Indian cricket board short-listed South Africa’s Graham Ford on Monday for the job of national coach and eliminated Australian Dav Whatmore from contention. A board official said the former South Africa coach and another unidentified candidate would be called to meet its coaching committee on Saturday.