Sri Lanka looking to square series

kit-sports editor — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 02:38:24 +0000

A monumental 117 by Azhar Ali may not be sufficient to deprive a probable Sri Lankan victory against Pakistan at the P. Sara Oval as they are in pursuit of 153 runs to win and square the three Test series. The Pakistanis were dismissed for 329 in their second innings at the stroke of tea on the fourth day of the second Test yesterday.

Play was called off before Sri Lanka began their run chase around 4.00 pm due to rain with Sri Lanka needing 153 runs to win. Play is scheduled to commence at 9.45 am today.

Spearheaded by an inspired spell of medium pace bowling by Dammika Prasad who took 4 for 92 in the second innings and 3 wickets in the first innings and also striking an useful 35 runs while batting has contributed immensely towards the success of the team in the on going Test.

The early morning conditions helped the fast bowlers Dammika Prasad and Angelo Mathews. Skipper Mathews bowled just five overs and got the wicket of Mohammed Hafeez on the third day before bad light stopped play. When play began at 9.45 am in the morning , conditions looked ideal for the medium pacemen. Both Mathews and Prasad exploited the conditions well and Pakistan’s overnight unbeaten pair Younis Khan (23 n.o) and Azhar Ali (64 n.o) started their grind and batted cautiously playing and missing at times. Mathews came back into the attack in the morning. He bowled a short spell and brought in Herath and Kaushal for a while seeking an early break through, but neither Herath nor Kaushal were able to make much of an impact. So, Mathews had to go back to his pacemen which Dammika Prasad in particular obliged.

The former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, playing in his hundredth Test and Azhar Ali drove, cut and glanced. Dammika Prasad was the pick of the Lankan bowlers backed up by skipper Angelo Mathews who were relying on movement rather than pace in favourable conditions. After Younis Khan and Azhar Ali added 73 runs for the third wicket, Mathews got one to move and Younis edged for Chandimal to take a regulation catch behind the stumps.

Younis’ 40 runs had cost him 107 minutes facing 67 deliveries and had four boundaries. Skipper Misbah -Ul- Haq walked in, may be thinking of a revival. He needed a good innings to save his side after his disastrous run out in the first innings.

Mishbah after facing 49 deliveries for 22 runs was trapped lbw off Prasad who was troubling the batsmen time and again with his occasional bouncer and change of pace.

Azhar Ali who came at number three, was batting skillfully at one end, although the situation demanded some care he neither neglected his opportunities to score. Azhar being dropped once at 68 by Kumar Sangakkara off Prasad in the fourth over of the morning in the slips, capitalised on the lapse and batted on remorselessly to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowlers.

He has been carrying the burden of the Pakistan innings. Azhar Ali was undisturbed by either spin or speed and equally competent and was powerful off the back or front foot. His 100 came in 448 minutes facing 266 deliveries with five fours.

Whie Azhar was performing his heroics trying to build a substantial total for the bowlers to bowl at, wicket started tumbling at regular intervals. Ashad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah and Zulfiquar Babar all fell cheaply.

Azhar Ali who lost his concentration may be for the first time in the match left his creae and was stumped to give Rangana Herath his first wicket in the match.

Sri Lanka gain comfortable lead

kit-sports editor — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 01:50:28 +0000

Pakistan brought the match within a reasonable range fighting back conceding a 166 run first innings lead with only one wicket intact on the second day of the second Test played at the P.Sara Stadium. When rain stopped play with still four overs to be bowled Sri Lanka were 304 for 9 in 118.2 overs with a first innings lead of 166.

Sri Lanka who were 70 for 1 overnight in their first innings in reply to Pakistan’s 138 yesterday were aiming high but their wings were clipped by a depleted Pakistan bowling attack who were minus their main strike bowler Riyaz Wahab who had a hairline fracture and most probably will be out of the series. The first Test hero for the visitors Yasir Shah who took seven wickets at Galle, hit back with his spin to take 5 for 95 yesterday

When play began , Sangakkara and Kaushal Silva the overnight unbeaten pair gave every indication of putting up a big score. The second wicket pair added 55 runs when Sangakkara stepped out and hoisted Zulfiquar Babar towards long on , but the shot lacked the power to beat the fielder Ashad Shafiq who accepted the skier. Lahiru Thirimanne who walked in needing a good score against his name did not last long. In a short stay at the wicket. He perished, caught at short and the Lankans dreams of obtaining a substantial first innings lead seemed to be receding

With Sri Lanka losing early wickets, opener and the first Test centurion Kaushal Silva provided the backbone of the Sri Lankan innings. Joined by skipper Angelo Mathews at 119 for 3 ,Silva batted sensibly and was working himself gradually towards his second hundred. At lunch Sri Lanka were 147 for 3 with Kaushal Silva 64 n.o and Angelo Mathews 11 n.o

Soon after lunch Kaushal Silva after adding 16 runs to his individual score was run out due to lack of communication with skipper Angelo Mathews who did not respond. Silva was approaching a well made hundred but it was not to be. The opener batted for 335 minutes and had faced 218 deliveries with 10 fours. By that time Silva and Mathews had added 72 runs . Silva’s innings was beyond praise as it was he who provided the driving force when the side needed runs. Dinesh Chandimal and Kithuruwan Vithanage who were badly in need of a good score were out for poor shots. Finally it was left to paceman Dammika Prasad who struck a useful 35 with Tharindu Kaushal striking 18 off 44 deliveri

KitSports » Zulfiquar Babar

Sri Lanka looking to square series

Sri Lanka gain comfortable lead