Sri Lanka vs Pakistan - Sri Lanka in sight of huge victory

Pakistan's top order failed again when they started their second innings in pursuit of an unlikely target of 510 runs. After dismissing Pakistan for an exact hundred, the hosts decided against enforcing the follow on and batted just over a session to give Pakistan another torrid short period to survive. 

  MatchReport: 1st Test, Day 3, Galle International Stadium, 22-26 June 12 

Younis Khan and Ayub Dogar looked untroubled as the wicket appeared flat at the start of the 3rd day. A howler from umpire Steve Davis gave Sri Lanka the opening from where they did not look back. Younis, who was looking in good touch, was given out LBW although there was a clear inside edge on to the pads. This was a vital wicket considering Pakistan’s longish tail. 

Ayub and Adnan Akmal too seemed to form a decent partnership as the former now looked more comfortable after getting a couple of boundaries away. Just when they looked set to take Pakistan to some respectability another howler occurred, this time not by the umpires but by the debutant Ayub Dogar who failed to respond to Adnan’s call for a second run resulting in a shocking run out. 

Adnan left the crease fuming, putting extra pressure on Ayub who again went into a shell and was the second last man out, LBW to a Herath delivery which did not turn. He made 25 but promised more. Earlier Randiv had accounted for Abdur Rehman after setting him up beautifully. He also took the last wicket, of Umar Gul, and finished with excellent figures of 4 for 13. Pakistan’s nemesis Herath took 3 while Kula grabbed 2 in a riot that exposed Pakistani batting, and quality of umpiring, badly. 

Sri Lanka did not ask Pakistan to follow on and batted instead to take advantage of the best batting conditions of the match. The logic behind the move was to give rest to their bowlers and give them the opportunity to bowl on weary 4^th and 5^th day surface. But the threat of rain and heavy first innings lead should have prompted them to go the conventional way. 

Pakistan bowled much better the second time removing five Sri Lankan batsmen also preventing them to break free. Abdur Rehman was unimpressive as Sri Lankan openers scored at around 5 an over.  It was Saeed Ajmal again who broke through first, trapping Paranavitana in front for 25. Junaid khan redeemed himself to some extent by coming good the second time. He removed dangerous looking Dilshan who given LBW, a marginal decision. 

First innings centurion, Sangakkara, was out cheaply this time as Ajmal lured him into a false prod resulting in a soft catch for the extra cover. Junaid Khan then got rid of captain Mahela and Samaraweera cheaply before Sri Lanka decided to declare the innings at 137 for 5. Pakistan needed to survive 15 overs. With two days remaining and a mammoth 510 to get, it was definitely a task beyond them barring a miracle or rain. 

Hafeez’s misery with the ball continued as he departed early as Mahela snapped him in the slips off Kulasekara. He was the only seamer in the match who got some movement in the air and off the wicket. After Herath had accounted for Azhar Ali, Kula bowled Taufeeq through the gate to leave Pakistan in tatters at 25 for 3. Night-watchman Ajmal and Younis Khan were at the crease at stumps with Pakistan staring at a huge defeat.

It is an improbable task for Pakistan to bat out two days and save this match, but at least they can try to salvage some pride by batting for longer periods. Sri Lanka would pray there is no rain as they aim for a morale-boosting 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. At least 10 umpiring errors, mainly going against Pakistan, have marred this match and absence of DRS has left a bad taste.

Summarised Scores:

 

Pakistan 36/3 (Kulasekara 2/13) require another 474 runs with 7 wickets remaining against Sri Lanka 472 and 137/5 (Dilshan 56, Junaid 3/44)

Hero of the Day: Kulasekara

Flop of the Day: Azhar Ali

Disappointment of the Day: Steve Davis (Umpire)

Image Credit: AFP