Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Taufeeq’s double hurts Sri Lanka

Match Report – Day 3: 1st Test, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi (neutral venue), 18 - 22 October 2011

 
Pakistan’s endeavor to bat Sri Lanka out of the Test match continued on the third day as Taufeeq Umar dug deep on his way to a maiden double hundred. He was helped by Misbah who played a breezy knock, and Umar Gul who struck first ball when Sri Lanka came out to see off the day.

The day started on a positive note for Sri Lanka when Welegedara got one to nip back hitting Azhar’s off stump. He scored 70 - this is the 10^th time he has failed to convert a fifty into hundred. Younis Khan strolled out and he too started sluggishly, sign of a sluggish pitch. On 16, he got a tickle down the leg side off Dilshan but Prasanna could not hang on.

Taufeeq reached 150 soon after Pakistan had resumed post Lunch session at 336 for 2. Welegedara gave Sri Lanka hope by getting Younis LBW for 33 as Misbah walked in with Pakistan 163 ahead. Misbah injected much needed urgency into the innings by playing freely from the outset.

He started by launching Herath over his head and then continued to find boundaries at regular intervals with a picky liking for Herath. He survived a close LBW but Herath got lucky the second time when Tony Hill gave Misbah caught behind although the ball had missed the edge. His made 46 off just 52 balls. Tony Hill definitely would like to forget this match.

Asad Shafiq came at number 6, the only place up for grabs in the middle order. He replaced Umar Akmal for the spot with Shoaib Malik waiting in the wings. 

Clearly under pressure he got stuck at the crease which resulted in a boring passage of play. Pakistan needed some quick runs prior to declaration but Shafiq at one point was scoreless for 33 balls.
Taufeeq meanwhile got to his maiden double hundred by pulling Lakmal for four. It was a vital knock spanned over almost 11 hours, consuming 459 balls, 16 of those were guided to the boundary. After reaching the milestone he took a fresh guard and never looked like getting out.

A message was sent out from the management, most likely regarding the rate of scoring, but Shafiq despite intent could not execute as he was in such a defensive mode. He had a lucky break when he was caught in the slips, but replay showed Pradeep had overstepped as Umpire went upstairs to check. It was heartbreaking for the debutant.

Taufeeq carted Herath for his first six and then took a couple each on the first four balls off a Dilshan over. With declaration looming, he tried a quick single but had to hurry back as Shafiq refused to move. He was given run out after several replays, a sad end to a magnificent knock. His innings of 236 with 17 fours and a six was a model of concentration and a bit of luck along the way. It was first time a Pakistani opener had scored a double century since Amir Sohail’s 205 in England in 1992.

To make use of the remaining balls of the over, Gul was sent out but his lofted heave off Herath was snapped superbly by Mathews at deep square leg.

Pakistan declared at 511 for 6, giving Sri Lanka 314 to avoid an innings defeat. Only two bowlers were among wickets. Herath bowled 61.4 overs, maximum that he ever bowled in an innings, and took 3 for 126. Welegedara picked a couple.

Sri Lanka had to negotiate just 11 overs, but Umar Gul struck first ball. The ball moved in and then nipped away after pitching hitting Paranavitana on the back leg. Tony hill thought for a while and gave him out, probably right on this occasion. Sangakkara joined Thirimanne and both survived the day unscathed, though had a few anxious moments.

Sri Lanka have a mountain to climb on the 4th day. The first thing they need is to negotiate the new ball and the first session, and then once set they have the ability to bat long. Pakistan, though, are in the driver's seat and will look to wrap up the match tomorrow, preferably by an innings.


Summarised Scores:

Sri Lanka  47/1 and 197/10 (Mathews 52*; Junaid Khan 5/38) trail Pakistan 511/6 dec (Taufeeq Umar 236, M Hafeez 75, Misbah 46; Herath 3/126) by 267 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 2nd innings

Hero of the Day: Taufeeq Umar

Disappointment of the Day: Asad Shafiq

Flop of the Day: Tony Hill

Click for full scorecard

Credits: cricketArchive.com (scorecard), AFP (photo)