Vangipurappu Laxman scored his 14th Test century after Gautam Gambhir had batted for almost 11 hours to ensure India secured a draw in the second Test against New Zealand on Monday. India, forced to follow on after being bowled out for 305, declared its second innings closed at 476 for four shortly after Laxman had scored his century. With New Zealand needing 163 to win in less than 17 overs, both captains agreed to call the match off. Laxman was unbeaten on 124 and Yuvraj Singh was 54 not out for India, who lead the three-match series 1-0 after a 10-wicket victory in the Hamilton test. “After the performance we had in Hamilton, to bounce back and play like we did here is very pleasing,” New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori told reporters. “I think the amount of pressure we put India under was fantastic.” Gambhir, who batted for 642 minutes and faced 436 balls, was finally dismissed for 137 after being trapped in front by offspinner Jeetan Patel before tea. It was the fourth-lowest Test score for anyone who batted over 10 hours in a single innings. Only New Zealand's Jeff Crowe (120 in 609 minutes), Sri Lanka's Asanka Gurusinha (128 in 607 minutes) and West Indies' Shivnarine Chanderpaul (136 not out in 675 minutes) scored fewer runs. “We were very strong,” India's stand in captain Virender Sehwag said. “We knew we had players who could bat a couple of days – Laxman, Dravid, Gautam, Sachin – they can bat for two days. The dressing room atmosphere was fantastic.” Gambhir had produced a near chanceless innings before he reached 125, whereupon he hit the ball straight to mid-on where pace bowler Iain O'Brien juggled then dropped a sitter. India's lead at the time was 13 runs after it was forced to follow on in reply to New Zealand's 619 for nine declared. Tendulkar was the only wicket to fall on the benign McLean Park wicket in the first session when he was caught by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off Chris Martin for 64 and his dismissal gave New Zealand faint hope it could bowl India out. Miandad returns to PCB Former Test captain Javed Miandad rejoined the Pakistan Cricket Board as director general Monday after meeting with the chairman Ijaz Butt. “It was a very cordial meeting and he is back as director general,” Butt said. Miandad quit in January citing his “limited role” in the PCB. “Now everything is settled and I am happy to be back in the cricket board,” Miandad said. Domestic media reported that Miandad was not happy with his salary package when he stepped down two months ago. Butt did not reveal how much the PCB would pay Miandad, but said the return of the former national team's captain and coach was a positive change for the game. Salary is “a confidential matter between the two parties, but the good thing is that he is back with us,” Butt said. Butt admitted last month there were procedural flaws in the appointment of Miandad.
