Defiant Sri Lanka earn a draw
A listless fielding performance- six dropped catches and many missed run-out opportunities is what cost Pakistan a 1-0 lead as Sri Lanka managed to bat through more than two sessions on the last day to set them a stiff target of 170 in about 21 overs which proved too much of an ask and the match ended in a tame draw. The two overnight batsmen, Kumar Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene extended the sixth wicket partnership till the stroke of tea, adding 201 to take their team to safety. Sri Lanka finished their second innings on 483, in reply Pakistan were 21 for the loss of Hafeez’s wicket when the captains called it a day.
Having toiled throughput the first two sessions without any success, Pakistan finally got a wicket in the last over before Tea as part timer Azhar Ali produced a rare delivery that missed Sangakkara’s defensive prod to have the double centurion trapped in front of the stumps for 211 and enliven a dull contest. The good work done by Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene combine, which foiled Pakistan for 73.1 was nearly undone by a collapse of sorts as Sri Lanka lost the last five wickets for just 49 runs.
The late wickets gave Pakistan a sniff but they were not brave enough to go after a target of 170, which would be considered gettable in the age of T20s. Their openers showed no internet of forcing a result and once, Taufeeq Umar was trapped LBW by Chanaka Welegedara the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
That, however, was preceded by a batting display of the highest standards as Sri Lanka were rescued from the dumps by the defiance of classic Sangakkara and dogged Prasanna Jayawardene. Starting the day’s proceedings with 16 runs in arrears, Sri Lanka could ill afford to lose a wicket while as Pakistan had to dislodge one of the two well settled men but a near lifeless pitch made the bowler’s job difficult. Barring a lively spell of pace bowling from Junaid Khan, the batsmen survived without lot of trouble till Lunch. Moreover, the two warnings that Aizaz Cheema received for running on to the pitch further took the sting out of the Pakistan attack.
Sangakkara starting the day on 161 batted with lot of concentration, cut down on any unnecessary shots while as, Prasanna was little more positive in his approach, punishing most of the lose deliveries that came his way. The 66 runs that came in the morning session converted the overnight deficit into a 50 run lead.
After the break, Sangakkara brought up his eighth double ton in Tests with his eighteenth boundary- a leg glance down to fine leg boundary. After this knock, the classy left hander trails only Donald Bradman and Brian Lara on the all time list of double-century century scorers. He was ably supported by wicket keeping batsman Prasanna Jayawardene who also reached his hundred with a boundary eventually falling for 120.
The best part of the left hander’s 431-ball marathon innings was his unwavering concentration, even allowing his younger partner to do most of the scoring. The duo kept out everything, the Pakistan bowlers had to offer including an inspired and energetic burst of bowling after Lunch from Aizaz Cheema who got the ball to reverse at a fairly good pace. The impressive Cheema was touch unlucky not to have got too many wickets in the game because of the many dropped catches on day four. However, the all important wicket that eluded Pakistan did come but it proved to be too late in the day.
Day 4: Bulletin on next page
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