Mahela and Thilan blast Pakistan
By Chris DHAMBARAGE
Mahela Jayawardena made the perfect start in his farewell series as
captain to help Sri Lanka post an imposing 406 for 3 in their first
innings on the opening day of the first cricket Test match against
Pakistan which began at the National Stadium in Karachi yesterday.
Thilan Samaraweera also further underlined his reputation as a
quality middle order batsman with his 8th Test hundred as Sri Lanka went
on a scoring spree in this match which also marked the return of Test
cricket to Pakistan in 14 months. This pair have so far put on a huge
229 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket from just 221 minutes.
Jayawardena’s innings was even more significant as he completed his
maiden century against Pakistan while playing in his 101st Test match.
He also reached another landmark in his illustrious career becoming the
highest run getter in this form of cricket and the first player to reach
8000 runs.
The 31 year old solid right hander also brought an end to a series of
low scores where he really struggled to get on terms during the home one
day series against India recently. This time he grabbed the opportunity
with both hands after winning the toss and went on to compile a
magnificent 136 not out from 239 balls with the help of 20 boundaries.
Jayawardena of course went through some anxious moments and also
survived two chances during his early innings. He was almost out when
Umar Gul failed to hold on to a sharp low chance from his own bowling on
the follow through following a lazy drive from the Sri Lankan captain.
Jayawardena had another life few minutes later when he was dropped by
Misbha Ul Haq while fielding at first slip. But that was all he gave the
Pakistanis as thereafter he launched a tremendous attack and went on to
reach his 25th Test century in a spectacular manner.
The most important fact in his innings was the approach to the game
because he took fresh guard after reaching the three figure mark and
decided to pile on the agony on the home side until the very end. His
partner Thilan Samaraweera played an equally good innings and remained
unbeaten on 130 from 155 deliveries inclusive of 21 boundaries.
Earlier Sri Lanka had an awful start to their innings when debutant
Tharanga Paranavithana departed for a first ball duck. However Malinda
Warnapura who himself experienced a similar fate in his Test debut
against Bangladesh took control of the situation with a sparkling half
century.
The 29 year old elegant left hander counter attacked the Pakistan
bowlers like in a one day match and raced to his half century from just
39 deliveries. Warnapura smashed seven boundaries and ensured that he
got behind the line before pulling the fast bowlers to the boundary. The
Pakistan opening bowlers Umar Gul and Sohail Khan of course did well to
exploit the conditions and tested Warnapura with a hostile spell during
the first hour of play. However Warnapura was equal to the task as he
negotiated the seam and movement successfully before leaving after a
well compiled 59. Warnapura’s elegance during his knock was so much that
he even outsmart his more senior partner Kumar Sangakkara in their 50
runs second wicket partnership which came from 52 deliveries. The Sri
Lankan vice captain did not mind playing the supporting role as Sri
Lanka reached their one hundred runs from 18.6 overs. Left hander
Sangakkara decided to play the sheet anchor role after the dismissal of
Warnapura and brought up their third wicket fifty run stand with skipper
Mahela Jayawardena from 89 deliveries. This most experienced pair in the
Sri Lankan batting line up gave Pakistan a torrid time on the field with
their professional approach to the game.
Sangakkara made a composed 70 from 104 deliveries studded with nine
boundaries.
SRI LANKA - 1ST INNINGS
M. Warnapura c Haq b Arafat 59
T. Paranavitana c Haq b Gul 00
K. Sangakkara c Haq b Kaneria 70
M. Jayawardene not out 136
T. Samaraweera not out 130
EXTRAS (lb3, nb7, w1) 11
TOTAL (for three wkts) 406
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-3 (Paranavitana), 2-93 (Warnapura), 3-177 (Sangakkara).
BOWLING: Gul 16-1-82-1 (1w), Sohail 16-1-105-0, Arafat 17-0-57-1
(2nb), Malik 16-2-60-0 (4nb)
Kaneria 24-2-93-1 (1nb), Younus 1-0-6-0.
‘ICC Trophy will go ahead as
scheduled’
Minister of Sports and
Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge yesterday reaffirmed that
this year’s planned ICC Champions Trophy will go ahead as
scheduled despite the unsuccessful LTTE air attack in
Colombo on Friday night.
The Minister who is visiting
Karachi on the invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) stated that there is no reason to put off the ICC
Champion Trophy as they have already qualified to host the
second biggest limited overs tournament after the event was
shifted from Pakistan.
The Minister stated that Sri
Lanka Cricket have been asked by the ICC to submit the
weather report and accordingly they are to place it among
all ICC Board Members.
The Champions Trophy which
was to be held in Pakistan last year was postponed to this
year but again it had to be shifted from Pakistan due to
security fears. Minister Lokuge noted that there has been no
threat to sports events in Sri Lanka during the last 20
years and terrorism will be completely wiped off from the
nation very soon. He said that by visiting Pakistan he
wanted to show the World that the country is a safe place to
play cricket. He said that he is not a security expert but
going through the situation in Pakistan he feels that more
teams should visit the country like the Sri Lankan cricket
team who are currently involved in a two Test series. The
Minister added that the SLC are negotiating with the PCB to
have more junior cricket tours with the intention of further
enhancing their relationships.
Minister Lokuge noted that
not only cricket tours but teams like football and hockey
could also be organized between the two countries with the
understanding of their respective sports bodies. In fact the
Federal Sports Minister of Pakistan Afthard Shah Jilani
expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan Government in
sending their team to play in a Test series.
Minister Lokuge also stated
that all countries are faced with their own internal crisis
and the 2011 World Cup will also be jointly hosted by Sri
Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. He pointed out that
during the 1996 World Cup too there was a similar crisis
where Australia and the West Indies conceded their two
matches against Sri Lanka due to security concerns. The
Minister thanked Pakistan and India for standing with them
in that period of time and hoped that once again they will
support the country to successfully stage another World Cup.
(Karachi, Saturday). |
|
