But despite their sterling second innings effort — Kohli got 197 and Chopra 182 — Delhi’s chances of retaining the Mohammad Nissar Trophy are as good as over, despite finishing Day Three at 516/4, a total lead of 384 runs.

Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited had taken a big first-innings lead and if they manage to get through tomorrow without getting bowled out, will take home the trophy for the first time since its inception.

Tragic endings

The day belonged to Kohli and Chopra, both of whose innings ended in a tragic fashion as they approached well-deserved double-hundreds. Kohli got stuck in the 190s for 25 balls before being bowled, while one sneaked past to clip Chopra’s leg-stump after the opener had played a flawless 182.

The duo had adopted an aggressive stance, driving with comfort through the covers and mid-off. Chopra took 166 balls to get to three figures while Kohli got there in 162. The partnership swelled to 349 runs as Delhi took a lead of 263, but just as they prepared for a final assault, the new ball taken in the 83rd over, right after lunch, changed the equation.

The visitors bowled a negative line — swinging the ball from wide outside off, suing bouncers to good effect, and backing all that with an open field.

The ploy worked for the Pakistan team but surprisingly, there was no urgency from the batsmen in the middle or from the dressing room to declare even after Kohli and Chopra made their exits — as Delhi batted on for 75 minutes past tea before rain interrupted play.

Scoreboard

Delhi (1st innings): 134

SNGPL (1st innings): 266

Delhi 2nd innings: A Chopra b Adil Raza 182, V Sehwag c Asad Ali b Imran Ali 37, V Kohli b Asad Ali 197, M Manhas b Asad Ali 10, R Bhatia batting 32, M Tehlan batting 24

Extras (B 11, LB 4, W 6, NB 13) 34; Total (for 4 wkts in 124 overs) 516

Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-431, 3-455, 4-457

Bowling: Asad Ali 36-8-98-2, Imran Ali

30-2-121-1, Adil Raza 23-0-112-1, Mohammad Hafeez 5-0-36-0, Imran Khalid

23-2-100-0, Azhar Shafiq 7-1-34-0.