Pakistan in command
by Ranjan Anandappa reporting from Galle
Pakistan moved to a position of strength by taking the wickets of
Kumar Sangakkara and Kaushal Silva to keep their hopes flickering at the
end of the fourth days play of the first Test between Sri Lanka and
Pakistan at the Galle International Stadium.
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Dhammika Prasad appeals for an lbw |
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Sarfraz Ahmed cuts. Pix Rukmal Gamage |
Pakistan’s middle order gave them the cutting edge when they added
311 runs, with Ashad Shafiq hammering a century and Sarfraz Ahmed
missing it by just four runs.Sri Lanka going in for the second time
trailing by 103 runs were 63 for 2 at close.
When play began in bright sunshine in the morning ,the overnight
unbeaten pair Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahamad took Pakistan from a
seemingly deplorable position 5 for 86 to a position of strength on the
third day to 235 for 6 .
Pakistan’s middle order and the late middle order flourished in
outright aggression and added credence to the innings and obtaining a
117 run lead.
The sun was shining and the wicket looked full of runs though the
batsmen knew there there might be an awkward pre- lunch session to
survive before any surface moisture had dried out. The Sri Lanka bowling
was never really strong ,tho ugh it became adequate for it’s purpose.
However, Pakistan developed unexpected lack of concentration while
batting. Sarfraz Ahamed just four runs short of his ninth Test hundred
tried to play across the line to paceman that only trouble can follow.
Dejected Sarfraz shows his disappointment over his careless dismissal ,
and took some time to get over it before starting his walk towards the
dressing room . By this time the sixth wicket pair of Shafiq and Sarfraz
had taken the score to reasonable proportions from 5 for 96 to 6 for
237. Sarfraz 96 had thirteen fours and had faced 86 deliveries.
The 139 stand between Sarfraz and Shafiq was compiled in
191deliveries.With the Pakistan middle order and the late middle order
coming into play they were in a position of strength at tea. 390 for 8
in reply to the Lankans 300. Babar completed his maiden half century in
Test cricket and Ashad Shafiq 115n.o frustrating the Sri Lankans.
The visitors obtained a first innings lead of 90 runs at tea. Sarfraz
and Babar set to with judicious blend of attack and vigilance.
The batted men like inspired. Soon after tea Babar after adding an
useful 101 runs in 16 deliveries which his contribution was 56 off
60deliveries. Pakistan were finally dismissed for 417 around 4/00pm.
SCOREBOARD
Sri Lanka 1st innings: 300
(K. Silva 125, K. Sangakkara 50, Wahab Riaz 3-74, Zulfiqar Babar 3-64)
Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 118-5):
Mohammad Hafeez c Karunaratne b Prasad 02
Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Prasad 09
Azhar Ali lbw b Herath 08
Younis Khan b Perera 47
Misbah-ul Haq c Sangakkara b Pradeep 20
Asad Shafiq st Chandimal b Perera 131
Sarfraz Ahmed b Prasad 96
Wahab Riaz b Perera 14
Yasir Shah c Chandimal b Pradeep 23
Zulfiqar Babar c Vithanage b Perera 56
Junaid Khan not out 06
Extras (lb1, nb3, w1) 05
Total (all out, 113.1 overs) 417
Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Hafeez), 2-11 (Shehzad), 3-35 (Azhar)
4-86 (Younis), 5-96 (Misbah), 6-235 (Sarfraz)
7-273 (Wahab), 8-302 (Yasir), 9-403 (Babar)
10-417 (Shafiq)
Bowling: Prasad 24-4-91-3
Pradeep 19-1-71-2 (nb2)
Herath 30-4-99-1
Perera 31.1-3-122-4
Mathews 6-1-12-0 (nb1)
Vithanage 3-0-21-0 (w1)
Sri Lanka 2nd innings
Kaushal Silva c Ali b Riaz 05
Dimuth Karunaratne not out 36
Kumar Sangakkara c Ali b Shah 18
Dilruwan Perera not out 00
Extras (b 4) 04
TOTAL (2 wickets; 21 overs) 63
To bat: Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews
Kithuruwan Vithanage, Dhammika Prasad, Rangana Herath
Nuwan Pradeep
Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Silva, 8.4 ov), 2-63 (Sangakkara, 19.1 ov).
Bowling: Riaz 6-3-11-1
Khan 4-0-19-0
Shah 7-1-21-1
Hafeez 4-1-8-0 |
