KitSports » Pakistan cricket

Charith scores double ton

kit-sports editor — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 02:38:20 +0000

The first three day game between the touring Pakistan under-19 cricketers and the Sri Lanka under 19 team was heading for a draw at the end of the second day’s play at the MRICS Sooriyawewa. When Sri Lanka resumed their innings last morning, Night watchman Charith Asalanka became the second Richmondite to score a double ton in an under 19 international game. Charith in his determination to surpass Yasodha Lanka’s score of 212 was unfortunate to be stumped at 200 which was scored off 276 balls and included twenty four boundaries and a six. The Sri Lanka youth team continuing from their overnight score of 330/7, lost two more wickets to right arm leg spinner Shadab Khan before declaring their first essay at 347/9.
Asitha Fernando opening the bowling for Sri Lanka grabbed the first two wickets in successive deliveries of the fifth over with the score on 15. Left arm leg spinner Thilan Nimesh bowled extremely well to be rewarded with two wickets in the 22nd over with the score on 57. Lahiru Kumara was rewarded with the fifth Pakistani wicket to fall and Asitha Fernando captured his third wicket of the day to see Pakistan going into tea at 130/6. Right hand batsman Umair Massood scored a chanceless 102 off 169 balls with sixteen boundaries and a six to anchor the Pakistan Youth innings. Sri Lanka used six bowlers but only Asitha Fernando, Thilan Nimesh and Lahiru Kumara were rewarded with three wickets each to restrict the visitors first innings to 209. Sri Lanka were 10/0 when play was stopped due to bad light after the first over was bowled.

Pakistan won by 29 runs….

kit-sports editor — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 01:53:59 +0000

Pakistan went one up in the two match Twenty20 series when they beat Sri Lanka by 29 runs in the first game at the R.Premadasa Stadium under lights yesterday.

Sri Lanka who were set to make 176 runs to win in 20 overs, were 146 for 7 at the completion of their quota of overs.

Milinda Siriwardana going for a six. AFP

Sri Lanka’s top order was a total flop while chasing a stiff victory target of 176. They lost opener Kusal Janith Perera in the third ball and in the following over Dilshan departed. Thereafter Kithuruwan Vithanage and Mathews succumbed to the immense pressure and Sri Lanka were 55 for 4 in 9.6 overs.

Debutant Dananjaya de Silva, batting at number three and left hander Milinda Siriwardena provided some entertainment to the packed house by adding 37 runs for the fifth wicket. Siriwardena, batting with growing confidence, struck two consecutive boundaries off Mohammed Irfan and then hit Imad Wasim and Shahid Afridi for sixes in his 35 off 18 deliveries.

Chamara Kapugedera, playing after a long lay off, hit a sixteen ball 31 with three sixes and a four as the home team fell short by 29 runs. Shohail Tanvir (3 for 29) and Anwar Ali 2 for 27 gave the early break through for Pakistan.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. All-rounder Dananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay and left arm paceman Binura Fernando made their T20 debut . Pakistan’s hopes of putting up a substantial opening score quickly disappeared when opener Mukthar Ahmed departed. Mathews who opened the bowling with left armer Binura Fernando had opener Mukthar Ahmed caught by debutant Vandersay at point to give his first catch in international cricket. The Pakistani batsmen were unable to really get on top of the Sri Lankan attack at the initial stages.

But Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammed Hafeez added 42 runs for the second wicket in the 8th over. The new comers, Binura Fernando and right arm leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay bowled well within themselves. The boundaries were restricted up to a certain extent as Vandersay completed his quota of four overs for 25 runs. Binura Fernando was struck for two sixes by Umar Akmal as the fourth wicket pair of Akmal and Shoib Malik added 81 runs off 75 deliveries which brought Pakistan from 83 for 3 to 164.

Umar Akmal after scoring 46 runs off twenty four deliveries with three sixes two off Fernando and one off Malinga and three boundaries , was finally out lbw to Malinga who had conceded 46 runs in his four overs.

Pakistan to 7-wicket win…..

kit-sports editor — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 02:42:16 +0000

Ahmed Shehzad (95) and Mohamed Hafeez (70) shared a 115 runs stand as Pakistan’s batting functioned at full throttle as it did throughout the tour to take the ODI series 3-1 with a 7 wicket win beating Sri Lanka in the fourth match at the R. Premadasa Stadium under lights yesterday.

Pakistan needing 257 to win reached the required target after openers Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad set the right platform putting on 75 runs for the first wicket in 11.1 overs and there after Shehzad and Mohammed Hafeez , banned from bowling for a year, striking with the bat added a further 115 runs for the second wicket to thicken the cushion.

Ahmed Shehzad was trifle unlucky to miss a well deserved century falling short by five runs when he was out caught at point to a diving catch by Kusal Perera off Lakmal. Shehzad faced ninety deliveries and struck twelve fours and six while Hafeez leaving his crease to Milinda Siriwardene edged one to give wicket keeper Dinesh Chandimal who took it after a couple of attempts.

Sri Lanka’s bowling looked thin almost wholly dependent upon Malinga who was not much of threat although taking the first wicket.

Top scorer for the Sri Lanka team, Lahiru Thirimanne (90)

The toal of 256 seemed a reasonable one to defend, but the Lankans simply did not have the bowling resources to curtail a strong batting line up like Pakistan. Hafeez and Shehzad second wicket stand demolished the Sri Lankan bowling to such an extent that Pakistan moved to victory with almost nine overs remaining.

The Sri Lankan fielding in general looked vulnerable and the bowling potentially short of talent.

A cultured 90 by Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan (50) who put on 109 runs for the first wicket, laid the foundation for the final Sri Lanka score of 256 for 9.

Thirimanne who came in as a virtual opener, missed a well deserved century when he was fifth out at 186 in the 42nd over, but useful contributions from Milinda Siriwardana ( 19), Sachith Pathirana (14) and Lasith Malinga ( 17) who hit 13 deliveries with two fours and six helped Sri Lanka to reach their final score.

Anglelo Mathews, after losing the toss for eleven consecutive occasions, won the toss and elected to bat.

The home team brought in Ashan Priyanjan for Upul Tharanga while Suranga Lakmal was brought in for Thisara Perera. But Sri Lanka was off to a disastrous start losing opener Kusal Janith Perera in the second ball of the innings off Mohammed Irfan when he top edged one to covers to be caught by Imad Wasim.

Thirimanne joined Dilshan as a virtual opener. Dilshan who looked somewhat subdued in the last two games, got into his strides and struck two well-timed drives first he drove on the on side and then on the off side off the bowling of Anwar Ali.

Dilshan ( 26) and Thirimanne (17) added 50 runs for the second wicket off 63 deliveries with Pakistan skipper Anwar Ali trying four bowlers to find the break through.

With Dilshan and Thirimanne gradually establishing themselves and the partnership reaching menacing proportions, skipper Anwar Ali, may be for the first time in the ODI series, introduced himself into the attack.

Dilshan and Thirimanne were bringing the score close to the 100 mark in the 19th over and the left and right hand combination of the second wicket duo seem to be working well for the Sri Lankans.

After adding 109 runs for the second wicket and Dilshan reached his 50 facing 59 deliveries striking three fours. While trying to make room to cut Imad Wasim, Dilshann was bowled.

Angelo Mathews did not last long. After adding 34 runs with Thirimanne he was caught by Yasir Shah off Rahat Ali. Pakistan had tried seven bowlers and all had bowled well within their capacity. Their main strike bowler Mohammed Irfan was used sparingly and bowled from both ends . Dinesh Chandimal who replaced Mathews showed signs of aggression to increase the tempo.

A miscued uppish drive off Mohammed Irfan fell short of two fielders, he then picked up one and swung it to leg for 4 to end a drought of boundaries. But Chandimal going for a repetition, miscued a pull and was caught in the deep.

At the other end, Thirimanne batted sensibly and was reaching his 100 when he swung Shah with the tide towards mid wicket and Ahmed Shehzad claimed for a sprawling catch.

But Thirimanne doubting, waited for the third umpire’s decision which confirmed that the ball was picked up from the ground.

But minutes later Thirimanne trying to accelerate, was caught by the same fielder Shehzad for a top score of 90 facing 136 deliveries with four hits to the ropes.

Sri Lanka in must win situation….

kit-sports editor — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 01:34:57 +0000

Sri Lanka who were blown off by a hurricane performance by Pakistan in the third One Day International will have to hit back with similar velocity to be in contention when they meet Pakistan in a crucial and series deciding fourth match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in a day/night match commencing at 2.30pm today.

At the moment Pakistan look firm favourites with their superior team effort with almost every player contributing towards the success of the team.

Pakistan has variety in their bowling with two left arm pacies Mohammed Irfan, Rahat Ali and right armer Anwar Ali backed up with the spin of Yasir Shah and Immad Wasim.

Yasir Shah although was a big success in the Test series, could not maintain the same form in the earlier two ODI’s at Dambulla and Pallkelle. But he came to mesmerise the Lankans in the thrid game claiming 4 wickets.

He will be the man to watch closely as the Khettarama pitch seems to be assisting him.
It was quite evident that the Lankans lacked the fire power while bowling. Angelo Mathews who opened the bowling moved the ball at half pace, Lasith Malinga looked a spent force and was hit for 21 runs in the last over when Pakistan got 93 runs in the last 10 overs with virtually put Lanka out of the contest.On the other hand Sri Lanka will have to improve leaps and bounds in all three departments of the game if they are to pose a threat to the high riding Pakistanis.

No team has chased a total of 300 runs at the RPS. The highest was 288 by India.

Skipper Angelo Mathews in a pre-match press conference said that ” We will have to get the best out of the resources available, who ever plays will have to play well. We have nothing to lose , and if we play well the results should follow favourably,” he said.

Hafeez humbles Sri lanka…

kit-sports editor — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 03:06:08 +0000

All rounder Mohammad Hafeez announced his return after missing the final Test as he guided Pakistan to a 6 wickets win against Sri Lanka with 28 balls to spare in the first ODI of the five match series played at Dambulla yesterday.
Hafeez was the destroyer of Sri Lanka with both bat and ball as he claimed 4-41 to restrict the home team to 255-8, and then scored a well directed 100 to guide the chase under pressure. He is currently awaiting the result of the test which he underwent in Chennai after he was called for a suspect bowling action and will be eligible to bowl until the test result comes out.
Chasing 255, Hafeez walked into the wicket as number three batsman and took control of the game as he came down the track and launched his first 6 of the inning to seal his 50 in 58 balls. It took only 35 more balls for him to reach his next 50, which included 3 more 6s and 5 more 4s as his 93 ball 100 included 4 sixes and 10 fours in all and was the backbone of the chase.
Hafeez had scored his last five ODI centuries against Sri Lanka, while becoming the second Pakistan all –rounder to score a century and take 4 or more wickets behind Sohaib Malik, who at the other end guided the latter part of the chase with an unbeaten 55, finishing off with a six. Malik and Hafeez put on 75 runs in 63 balls where Malik’s contribution was only 14 runs. Earlier in the inning wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Chandimal played a much needed inning when the home team was in trouble with an unbeaten 65. Chandimal along with skipper Angelo Mathews added 82 runs in 94 balls for the 5th wicket as they bailed out Sri Lanka from a sorry situation of 118-4. Debutant Milinda Siriwardene impressed with a 21 ball 22 runs while putting up a 40 runs partnership along with Chandimal for the 7th wicket.
Tillekaratne Dilshan was lucky early on as he was caught behind off a no ball by Mohammad Irfan in the third over, but failed to capitalize as he was dismissed for an unusual 65 balls 38.

Scores

Sri Lanka:
K. Perera c Rizwan b Hafeez 26
T. Dilshan b Hafeez 38
L. Thirimanne c Sarfraz b Anwar 23
U. Tharanga st Sarfraz b Hafeez 20
A. Mathews c Azam b Yasir 38
D. Chandimal not out 65
T. Perera c Rizwan b Hafeez 01
M. Siriwardana c Rizwan b Rahat 22
S. Prasanna c Hafeez b Rahat 00
L. Malinga not out 4
Extras: (b4, lb7, w6, nb1) 18
Total (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 255
Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-82, 3-111, 4-118, 5-200, 6-204, 7-244 (Siriwardana), 8-245.
Bowling: Irfan 10-0-41-0, Rahat 8-0-44-2, Anwar 7-0-38-1, Hafeez 10-1-41-4, Yasir 10-0-46-1, Malik 5-0-34-0

Scores

Pakistan:
A. Ali c Chandimal b Mathews 21
A. Shehzad c Chandimal b Lakmal 29
M. Hafeez c and b T. Perera 103
B. Azam lbw b Dilshan 25
S. Malik not out 55
M. Rizwan not out 20
Extras: (lb1, w5) 06
Total (for four wickets, 45.2 overs) 259
Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-65, 3-123, 4-198.
Bowling: Malinga 8-0-56-0 (w5), Lakmal 5-1-21-1, T. Perera 8-0-32-1, Mathews 5-0-22-1, Prasanna 9-0-72-0, Dilshan 8.2-0-45-1, Siriwardana 2-0-10-0.

72 runs off 94 balls – Safraz Ahmed

kit-sports editor — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 02:02:47 +0000

A fighting knock from wicketkeeper batsman Safraz Ahmed once again pushed Pakistan out of what could have been havoc when he held their innings together with an unbeaten 72 runs off 94 balls as Pakistan finished the second day of the third and final test on 209-9 here in Pallekele yesterday.
Ahmed walked in when Pakistan were four down for 91 runs. Although wickets continued to tumble at the other end, Sarfraz scored his half century in just 57 balls. He did his best batting with the tail foregoing many singles as he guided the visitors past 200, which seemed out of reach when they were 152 for 7 at one stage.
Right arm fast bowler Dammika Prasad was the early destroyer of Pakistan’s top order as he removed opener Shan Masood and ice-cool Asad Shafiq with his accurate bowling and scary face, while the pressure was created by Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Pradeep, which in fact caused the run-out of the visitor’s most experienced batman Younis Khan.
Khan became the second overseas batsman to have scored 1000 plus runs in Sri Lanka; of course after the maestro Sachin Tendulkar.
Prasad made some loud appeals at some close calls early on, with his eyes almost popping out, but it took him five overs to strike, as the umpire’s’ finger finally went up for a lbw shout. Dammika returned to break the threatening partnership between Yasir Shah and Ahmed after the duo had put on 45 runs for the 8th wicket.
Nuwan Pradeep removed other opener Ahmed Shehzad early, and struck again twice after the second rain interruption, which further damaged Pakistan’s hopes. He first removed set batsman Azhar Ali after the rain, and then dismissed skipper Misbah-ul-Haq who came to bat at number seven as he was suffering from a groin injury; he was trapped lbw. Ali was given out on 49, which was over-turned using DRS, but his fortune did not last long as he could add only 3 more runs to his tally. Ali become the highest scorer for Pakistan in Tests during the last five years with 3388 runs in 44 matches overtaking Younis Khan who had scored 3383 runs .
Leg spinner Shah completed his third five wicket haul in the series to take his tally to 22 wickets wrapping up Sri Lanka’s 1st innings for just 278 runs inside 4 overs yesterday.
He also becomes only the second bowler to take three or more five wicket hauls during a Sri Lankan series, the other being Shane Warne.
Play went on till 6:10 p.m. but only 67.5 overs could be bowled during the day due to several rain interruptions.

Scores

Sri Lanka 1st inning 278(89.5) (D.Karunaratne 130, Yasir Shah 5-78)

Pakistan 1st Innings
Shan Masood lbw b Prasad 13
Ahmed Shehzad C Chandimal b Pradeep 21
Azhar Ali not out 47
Younis Khan run out (Silva) 03
Asad Shafiq lbw b Prasad 15
Sarfraz Ahmed not out 72
Misbah –ul-Haq lbw b Pradeep 06
Ehsan Adil lbw b T.Kaushal 00
Yasir Shah C Chandimal b Prasad 18
Rahat Ali lbw b Kaushal 02
Imran Khan not out 00
Extras (lb4, nb2 ) 06
Total (9 wickets, 64.0overs) 209
To bat: Imran Khan
Fall of wicket: 1-32, 2-40, 3-45 , 4-92 , 5-135 (Ali, 44.6) , 6-151, 7-152, 8-197,9-202
Bowling: Dammka Prasad 19-1-78-3, Suranga Lakmal 14-1-64-0 , Nuwan Pradeep 14-5-26-3, Angelo Mathews 4-1-3-0, Tharindu Kaushal 13-0-34-2

Injury woes for Sri Lanka

kit-sports editor — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 00:59:50 +0000

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews believes that his side could bounce back in the remaining two Tests. However Pakistan skipper Mishbah-Ul-Haq is looking forward to end a nine year drought without a series win when the second Test between the two countries starts at the P. Sara Oval today.

Sri Lanka are having a few injury problems to be sorted out on the eve of the second Test as all-rounder Dilruwan Perera will definitely miss the second Test due to splitting the webbing of his right hand which needed nine stitches while fielding in the Galle Test and Dhammika Prasad being the second casualty injuring himself during a practice session last morning. Dilruwan Perera’s place will be taken by off spinner Tharindu Kaushal and if Prasad does not play it will be either Suranga Lakmal or Dushmantha Chameera who will come into the side.

Tharindu Kaushal and seasoned left arm spinner Rangana Herath should form an effective spin combination. Tharindu Kaushal made his Test debut against New Zealand in the Boxing Day Test in Christchurch last year and had a fiery baptism taking 2 for207. On previous occasions Herath has been the ‘bug bear’ for the visitors , but the Pakistan captain is happy that his batsmen have done a good job in handling him in the first Test in which Herath managed only one wicket.

“It is a good sign for us because he is a very good bowler and could have done a lot more. We need to keep this going to win the series because he is a tough competitor capable of doing anything. Pakistan’s spinners claimed 13 wickets between them in Galle compared to the five by Sri Lanka. I admit that our spinners were not as effective as their spinners. Even the pitch was turning from day one,” said the Sri Lankan captain Anjelo Mathews. “Hopefully Rangana Herath will bounce back quickly”, he added. The P.Sara Oval, which hosted the inaugural Sri Lanka – England Test in 1982 will hold the key for this vital Test match. The venue has produced a winner in eight consecutive Test matches since 2005. Sri Lanka lost to India in 2010, then to England and New Zealand in 2012. In the last Test against New Zealand at the Oval, the Kiwi pacemen Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Doug Bracewell exploited the Lankan conditions exceptionally well to give New Zealand victory.

In today’s Test match the emphasis will be on Pakistan trying a to win and seal a series win, and Sri Lanka trying deprive Pakistan of victory. To prevent that the Lankans need to put in a gigantic effort.

The visitors’ attack look far superior than their Lankan counterparts. Paceman Dammika Prasad has the ability to take early wickets with his lively pace with the rest of the bowlers making only sporadic efforts. Pakistan on the other hand showed that they were able to adopt themselves in adverse conditions. Their two left arm bowlers Junaid Khan and Riyaz Wahab bowled exceptionally well on the dead wicket in Galle, supported by spinners Barba and Yasir Shah who were impressive.

Magic Shah stuns Lions Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets at Galle…

kit-sports editor — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 01:14:26 +0000

Leg spinner Yasir Shah led the final day turn around for Pakistan with a seven wicket haul as they completed their first Test win in Sri Lanka since 2006 to beat the home team by 10 wickets in the first Test match concluded at Galle yesterday.
After Shah’s magic 7-76 the home team was all out for just 206 before tea, handing the visitor’s an easy target of 90 runs in one full session, which they did in just 11.2 overs without losing a single wicket. Pakistan turned around the match which saw the loss of a day and a session to rain.
After being 118-5 in reply to the home team’s 300 at stumps of day three, Sarfraz Ahmed did what they do best on the fourth day, with a counter attack 96 runs, while ever cool Asad Shafiq absorbed the pressure to score his 7th Test century as Pakistan posted 417 to achieve a 117 runs lead in the first inning.
Then came the threat from leg-spinner Yasir Shah who is playing only in his 8th Test claimed his best figures in Test cricket, which was also the best by a Pakistan leg spinner in the last 20 years, and also only the second time in Sri Lanka a leg spinner claimed seven wickets after Shane Warne did it in 2002. Shah left the Sri Lanka second inning in shambles as none of the batsman had an answer against him, including batting great Kumar Sangakkara. Also, home batsmen were irresponsible during their inning as three of them were stumped after trying to charge down the track in a situation which asked nothing more than to hang on to their wicket.
After doing all the hard work upfront to achieve a 50 runs lead after trailing by 118, opener Dimuth Karunaratne who was the anchor of the inning with 79 runs, tried an irresponsible shot coming down the track to leg spinner Yasir Shah and missed the delivery completely and wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed did the rest, which gave the home team the jitters. Karunaratne took 173 balls for his inning which included ten fours and he kept his cool while wickets tumbled from the other end. Dammika Prasad and Dinesh Chandimal were the others to be dismissed by stumping.
Night watchman Dilruwan Perera was sent back to the pavilion by leg spinner Yasir Shah off the first ball of the day. Perera tried to leave the ball alone which came straight in and removed the off stump, and Perera walked back in wonder. Vice captain Lahiru Thirimanne (44) added a half century stand with Karunaratne for the fourth wicket to see through almost the entire first session, but that was until left arm pace man Wahab Riaz returned for his new spell . Riaz struck with the first ball of his new spell when Thirimanne edged the ball and was caught by Younis Khan in the slip cordon.
Kithuruwan Vithanage did not last long as he too tried an irresponsible slog sweep against the dangerous Shah and was caught by Zulfiqar Babar in the deep as Shah completed his five wickets.
Man of the match : Sarfraz Ahmed

Scores

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 300 (K. Silva 125, K. Sangakkara 50, Wahab Riaz 3-74, Zulfiqar Babar 3-64)
Pakistan 1st innings: 417 (Asad Shafiq 131, Sarfraz Ahmed 96, D. Prasad 3-91, D. Perera 4-122)

Sri Lanka 2nd Innings
K. Silva c Azhar b Wahab 05
D. Karunaratne st Sarfraz b Yasir 79
K. Sangakkara c Azhar b Yasir 18
D. Perera b Yasir 00
L. Thirimanne c Younis b Wahab 44
A. Mathews c Azhar b Yasir 05
D. Chandimal st Sarfraz b Yasir 38
K. Vithanage c Babar b Yasir 01
D. Prasad st Sarfraz b Babar 02
R. Herath c Hafeez b Yasir 01
N. Pradeep not out 00
Extras: (b5, lb1, w6, nb1) 13
Total (all out, 77.1 overs) 206
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-63, 3-63, 4-132, 5-144, 6-167, 7-175, 8-200, 9-203, 10-206.
Bowling: Wahab 16-4-46-2 (w6), Junaid 7-1-23-0, Yasir 30.1-6-76-7 (nb1), Hafeez 10-3-24-0, Babar 14-4-34-1.

Pakistan 2nd innings
Mohammad Hafeez not out 46
Ahmed Shehzad not out 43
Extras: (b3) 03
Total (for no loss, 11.2 overs) 92
Bowling: Herath 4.2-0-30-0, Prasad 2-1-10-0, Pradeep 2-0-18-0, Perera 3-0-31-0.

Vandersa baffles Pakistan…..

kit-sports editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 02:37:48 +0000

Sri Lanka Board President’s XI’s right arm leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay claimed an impressive five-wicket haul despite twin fifties of Ahmed Shehzad and Younis Khan as Pakistan compiled 247 all out in the three-day warm-up match game which started at Colombo Colts grounds yesterday.

At close, Sri Lanka Board President’s XI were 44-1 after losing Dimuth Karunaratne for a second ball duck.

Top scorer in the Pakistani innings, Ahmad Shehzad hits a boundary during the three-day warm-up match game which started at Colombo Colts grounds yesterday. Picture by Rukmal Gamage

Vandersay, 25-year-old former Wesley College cricketer, baffled the visitors through his deliveries including the scalps of skipper Misbah ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq and Ahmed Shehzad. The top scorer for visitors, Shehzad was brilliantly caught by Jehan Mubarak at slips for 82.

Electing to bat, Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez, who was trapped in front off Nisala Tharaka in the third over of the match and lost the second wicket at 39.

Since then Shehzad and Younis Khan steadied the innings with a 113-run partnership before all-rounder Milinda Siriwardene completed his second wicket as Younis departed for 64 hitting three sixes and five fours.

The tourists, who reached 150-2, were reeling losing the last eight wickets within 95 runs.

Sri Lanka Board President’s XI includes four seamers, namely Vishwa Fernando, Nisala Tharaka, Kasun Rajitha and Binura Fernando in a team which twelve players included, allowing 11 players for batting and fielding.

Upul Tharanga was timing the ball quite handsomely during his unbeaten 29 runs which included five fours off 37 balls. (SJ)

Pakistan team to Lanka – a blend of youth and experience….

kit-sports editor — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 01:36:53 +0000

Its cricket time once again for Sri Lankans as the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka is just about to commence.It will be a tour of foremost importance for the Lankans as it is their first taste of blood for the year 2015 at home and the team will be fresh taking a two month break after a mediocre performance in the World cup down under.

Pakistan on the other hand have been in cricketing action during the past two months and are in a jubilant mood as Zimbabwe became the first cricket nation to tour them after the 2009 Lahore disaster.Pakistan have named their test squad with a fine blend of youth and experience with Captain Misbah Ul-Haq once again to shepherding the side.

Ajmal dropped, Fawad ignored

Saeed Ajmal

Fawad Alam

Younis Khan

The Pakistan team management have dropped spin wizard Saeed Ajmal from the test squad despite being a part of the test squad against Bangladesh. Ajmal with his remodeled action hasn’t extracted the prodigious turn nor zip which he used to torment batsmen over the years and he also failed to take a single wicket in the tour game before the start of the Bangladesh series.

Rookie leg spinner Yasir Shah has quietly stepped in as Pakistan’s number one spin option and he would be a force to reckon with for Lankan batsmen who struggle against leg spinners.Yasir will especially like to have bowl in Galle which is Sri Lanka’s spin friendliest pitch.Left arm spinner ZulfiqarBarbar will ably support him as the second spinner on tour.

Pakistan A captain Fawad Alam who recently had a tremendous tour against the Sri Lanka A side continues to be ignored from the Pakistan nationalteam.Alam,a reliable middle order batsman has always been a man for crisis situations and should be thoroughly disappointed for not being a part of the touring squad.The Pakistan selectors have definitely missed a trick by not including main in formAlam who scored heavily during the A tour and is very familiar with conditions.Alam would be hoping that he finds a well deserved place in the Limited overs squad.

Pakistan will be heavily reliant on veteran Younis Khan to come good during the series.Younis who has been the mainstay of Pakistan test batting has enjoyed playing against Sri Lanka and has a superb record against them.Vice Captain Azhar Ali has experienced a new lease in ODI cricket,piling up runs against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh and would want to score big against the Lankans as well.Pakistan’s underrated skipper MisbahUlHaq is the other man the Lankans should be weary of.Misbah nicknamed “Tuktuk” proved his critics wrong by equaling the fastest 100 in a test match history against Australia and is a vital cog in the wheel.

Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood and EhsanAdil have been included in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the Test series. Babar Azam, BilawalBhatti, Sami Aslam were also excluded, while Rahat Ali, SohaibMaqsood and Sohail Khan continued to be unavailable due to their respective injuries.Shehzad was dropped from both Test and ODI squads after the 2015 World Cup on disciplinary grounds. He was recalled for the Zimbabwe ODIs but remained on the bench throughout the three-match series. Shehzad is one of three openers – Mohammad Hafeez and Masood, being the other two – in the squad.

Pakistan squad: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (vc), Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, AsadShafiq, HarisSohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, WahabRiaz, Junaid Khan, Imran Khan, EhsanAdil.

Superman Rhodes as fielding consultant

The SLC has taken positive step towards the development of the fielding aspect of the Sri Lankan team by recruiting fielding superstar Jonty Rhodes as a consultant for a fielding camp of 10 days.Rhodes renowned for his unreal fielding feats is probably the best man to uplift the Lankan fielding standards which have been declining at a steady pace in the recent past.Sri Lanka who have been one of the top fielding units in the past have been cramped with poor fitness levels thus have been guilty of plenty of misfielding and dropping catches.

We hope that after Rhodes departure the national coaches will be able to practice and perfect the techniques and fielding drills and we will see a much improved fielding side in the near future.