Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - Taufeeq hundred gives Pakistan huge advantage

Match Report – Day 2: 1st Test, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi (neutral venue), 18 - 22 October 2011

Pakistan achieved what they wanted by batting out the day, albeit sluggishly, after having dismissed Sri Lanka cheaply on the first day. First, Hafeez cruised along for a stylish 75, and then Taufeeq scored an old-fashioned Test century to give Pakistan real chance of a big first innings lead.

The second day too belonged to Pakistan by a mile as Sri Lanka struggled to penetrate Pakistan’s top order on a docile surface. The bowling was unimaginative as was the captaincy by Dilshan who concentrated solely on restricting Pakistan. They did not learn any lesson from Pakistani pace bowlers who had bowled aggressively using every trick up their sleeve to get something out of the wicket.

The ploy did not work against in-form Mohammad Hafeez who played like he was strolling in the park. His 127-ball 75 included 8 fours and a six off Herath. Pakistan cruised to 115 for no loss in Hafeez-dominated morning session. Taufeeq, on the other hands, was a complete contrast as he struggled for timing and looked short of confidence. His fifty came off 144 balls and two out of his three boundaries were edges.

It was Herath, Pakistan’s nemesis of late, who broke the 115-run opening stand just after Lunch, when Hafeez failed to read a knuckle-ball and was trapped in front. This was all what Herath could achieve on a struggling morning. Dilshan too created some oos and aaws but was largely ineffective.

Azhar Ali joined Taufeeq and the two, quite strangely and partly because of tight bowling, moved along at snail’s pace. Mahela dropped him early in the slips. In the middle session both collected just 59 runs in 30 overs. But importantly they did not give any chance to Lankans to come back into the game.

At one point Azhar played 38 scoreless deliveries, but later found his footings and scored a few nice-looking fours. Sri Lanka opted for the new cherry straight away after it became due. Chanaka Welegedara created an opportunity immediately, hitting Taufeeq on the pads as the batsman shouldered arms. It was mighty close but Tony Hill gave it to the batsman saying it hit him high.

Taufeeq’s path from 50 onwards was a lot smoother as he looked to use his feet against spinners and cut and drove the seamers. His stay in the nervous nineties was short-lived as Lakmal gave him width to hit two fours en route to his 6^th hundred. Taufeeq, who has made several comebacks in his short Test career spanning 10 years, once again showed importance of a proper batsman at the top.

Soon after reaching hundred he had a lucky reprieve when a clear edge off Welegedara eluded Hill’s ears making Sri Lankans furious. At stumps, Pakistan had a lead of 62 runs with 9 wickets still remaining. Taufeeq and Azhar were unbeaten on 109 and 60 respectively.

Apart from two lucky escapes for Pakistan and an occasional edge falling short in slips, Sri Lanka did not look threatening. Pakistan are on course for a huge lead tomorrow and Sri Lanka should start thinking how to cope Pakistan’s bowlers in the second innings on a fading pitch.


Summarised Scores:

Pakistan 259/1 (Taufeeq Umar 109*, M Hafeez 75; Herath 1/55) lead Sri Lanka 197/10 (Mathews 52*; Junaid Khan 5/38) by 62 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 1^st innings

Hero of the Day: Taufeeq Umar

Click for full scorecard

Credits: cricketArchive.com (scorecard), Associated press (photo)