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19 March 2024

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test, Day 4: Pak lose Manzoor, trail by 78

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Kumar Sangakkara struck a sparkling 221 to move to the second spot in the all-time list of Test double centurions as Sri Lanka grabbed lead before declaring their first innings on day four of the first Test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Sangakkara's 10th double century put him just two behind Australian great Don Bradman's 12 as Sri Lanka declared at 533 for nine wickets for an 82-run first innings lead before returning to strike a late blow as well.

Pakistan were four for one wicket in their second innings at stumps, having lost opener Khurram Manzoor for three to Rangana Herath.

Ahmed Shehzad was one not out and Saeed Ajmal yet to open his account with Pakistan still trailing by 78 runs with nine wickets in hand.

The day, however, belonged to Sangakkara who brought up his double century with a single off Ajmal, sparking off celebrations in the ground.

His batted for 11 hours and 38 minutes, hitting 24 fours in his marathon 425-ball knock.

Sangakkara endured some torrid moments, however, before reaching the double century when Ajmal followed up the dismissal of Angelo Mathews (91) before the tea break with a further three cheap wickets as Sri Lanka slumped to 475-7.

Ajmal, without a wicket in the previous 47 overs, picked up four for 13 in 6.3 overs, also dismissing Kithuruwan Vithanage, Niroshan Dickwella and Dilruwan Perera.

Sangakkara's marathon knock came to an end when he stepped out to Abdur Rehman and was stumped by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Sri Lanka appeared set to bat through the afternoon session unscathed until Pakistan picked up the wicket of Mathews when the batsman pushed forward at an Ajmal delivery and was caught in the slip.

The dismissal ended his 181-run stand with Sangakkara.

Earlier Sangakkara, still on his overnight score of 102, cut the first ball he received from Junaid Khan straight to point where Abdur Rehman spilled an easy catch.

At the other end, Mahela Jayawardene, making his penultimate Test appearance, got off the mark for the day with a streaky four off Junaid but was out the next ball when he was trapped lbw on 59.

Jayawardene's dismissal ended a 113-run partnership with Sangakkara for the third wicket but was the only success for the visitors in a morning session that was extended to make up for lost time due to rain on Friday.

Dhammika Prasad got a caught behind decision successfully overturned off the first ball he faced and went on to score a useful 31 off 35 balls taking Sri Lanka past the 500-run mark before providing Ajmal with his fifth wicket of the innings.

CLOSE

Pakistan are 4-1 in 6 overs at close after Sri Lanka declared at 533-9, still trailing by 78 and having lost opener Manzoor.

Ajmal has come in as the nightwatchman for Pakistan.

Herath strikes in his second over as Manzoor is caught behind getting faint edge chasing a delivery outside off. Pak 3-1 in 3.3 overs.

Khurram Manzoor c Dickwella b Herath 3 (13b 0x4 0x6) 

Sri Lanka open with spinner Herath sharing the new ball with Eranga briefly before being replaced by another slow bowler Dilruwan. Pak 3-0.

SRI LANKA FIRST INNINGS

Sri Lanka declare at 533-9, enjoying a lead of 82, giving Pakistan to face a minimum of 10 overs before the close.

Ajmal claims his 10th five-wicket haul in Tests as Prasad is out stumped. SL 533-9 in 163.1 overs.

Dammika Prasad st Sarfraz Ahmed b Saeed Ajmal 31 (35b 2x4 2x6)

Prasad is turning it on launching Ajmal for his second six as Sri Lanka pile it up. SL 530-8.

Prasad pummels Rehman for a six over long on. SL 523-8.

Herath pulls Ajmal powerfully over midwicket for a boundary and survives after being adjudged caught at slip attempting a reverse sweep. SL 516-8.

Sangakkara's marathon knock comes to an end deceived by the flight of Rehman and Sarfraz doing the rest despite fumbling with the ball initially. SL 511-8 in 158.1 overs.

Kumar Sangakkara st Sarfraz Ahmed b Abdur Rehman 221 (425b 24x4 0x6)

Sangakkara cracks a couple of boundaries off Ajmal. SL 506-7.

Sangakkara lofts Rehman to long on for a boundary. SL 498-7.

Prasad is unfazed by the short stuff from Talha pulling him round to the fine leg fence. SL 490-7.

Prasad also opens his account with a boundary driving Talha through the covers. SL 481-7.

Prasad survives after being adjudged caught behind off Ajmal as Sri Lanka successfully overturn the verdict. SL 475-7.

Dilruwan flicks Ajmal to fine leg for a boundary before holing out the next to Junaid. SL 475-7 in 149.5 overs.

Dilruwan Perera c Junaid Khan b Saeed Ajmal 5 (21b 1x4 0x6)

Sangakkara scrambles for a single to reach his 10th double century, second on the list behind Bradman's 12.

Dilruwan survives after being adjudged leg before off Junaid with Sri Lanka successfully reviewing the decision.

Ajmal claims his third wicket at Dickwella perishes. SL 458-6 in 143.5 overs.

Niroshan Dickwella c Asad Shafiq b Saeed Ajmal 5 (7b 1x4 0x6)

Dickwella opens his account by punching Junaid through mid-on for a boundary as Sri Lanka overhaul Pakistan's total. SL 455-5.

Vithanage does not last long edging to Shafiq at second slip. SL 450-5 in 142 overs.

Kithruwan Vithanage c Asad Shafiq b Saeed Ajmal 5 (22b 0x4 0x6)

Kumar Sangakkara capitalised on being dropped early in the day to move 11 runs short of a double century as Sri Lanka reached the fourth day tea interval two runs behind Pakistan in a first Test that appears set for a draw on Saturday.

At the interval, Sangakkara was unbeaten on 189, scored off 377 balls with 21 fours, and batting with Kithuruwan Vithanage on five as Sri Lanka reached 449 for four wickets in their first innings.
 
Sri Lanka appeared set to bat through the afternoon session unscathed until Pakistan picked up the wicket of Angelo Mathews for 91 shortly before tea when the home captain pushed forward at a Saeed Ajmal doosra and was caught by Younus Khan at slip.

The dismissal ended a 181-run stand with Sangakkara and was the off-spinner's first wicket of the innings after 47 overs, during which he had conceded 129 runs.

TEA

Sri Lanka are 449-4 in 140 overs at tea with Sangakkara unbeaten on 189 while Vithanage is with him on five.

The only success for Pakistan was when Ajmal claimed his first wicket in his 47th over to dismiss Mathews for 91 to end a 181-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Ajmal finally strikes to dismiss Mathews with Younis at slip holding onto a thick outside edge. SL 438-4 in 137.3 overs.

Angelo Mathews c Younis Khan b Saeed Ajmal 91 (188b 9x4 1x6)

Another poor over from Ajmal with Mathews hammering a boundary to fine leg before getting four leg byes. SL 424-3.

The 150-run partnership between Sangakkara and Mathews comes up as Sri Lanka step up the ante. SL 412-3.

Younis fails to hold on to a chance at slip off Ajmal giving Sangakkara another life with the ball running to third man for a boundary.

Sangakkara despatches Junaid for another boundary with a classic cover drive. SL 393-3.

Mathews tickles Shehzad to fine leg for a boundary. SL 381-3.

Sangakkara sweeps Shehzad to square leg for three runs to pass 150 for the 18th time in his career. SL 372-3.

Mathews launches a short ball from Talha over fine leg for a six. SL 362-3.

Mathews smashes Talha through extra cover to reach his half century.

Part-time spinner Shehzad comes on in the first over after lunch as Misbah attempts to break the shackles. SL 340-3.

Kumar Sangakkara capitalised on being dropped off the first ball he faced on the fourth morning to carry Sri Lanka to within 113 runs of Pakistan's first innings total as the first Test appears to be heading for a draw on Saturday.

At lunch, Sangakkara was unbeaten on 140, scored off 298 balls with 18 fours, and Angelo Mathews on 43 not out with Sri Lanka having progressed to 338 for three wickets.

On a pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers, Sri Lanka progressed towards Pakistan's total of 451 by adding 86 runs in an extended morning session as the sides attempt to make up time lost due to bad weather on Friday.

After the hosts resumed on 252-2, Junaid Khan was handed the second new ball at the start of play and the paceman provided plenty of drama before Sangakkara and Mathews settled down to put on an unbroken partnership of 81.

Sangakkara, still on his overnight score of 102, cut the first ball he received straight to point where Abdur Rehman fumbled an easy catch.

At the other end, Mahela Jayawardene, making his penultimate test appearance, got off the mark for the day with a streaky four off Junaid but was out the next ball when he was trapped lbw with his score on 59.

The umpire initially ruled Jayawardene not out but Pakistan were convinced the ball had hit him in line with the stumps and successfully reviewed the decision.

Jayawardene's dismissal ended a 113-run partnership with Sangakkara for the third wicket but was the only wicket to fall in the session.

With the two spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman getting little out of the pitch, Junaid was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers with figures of 2-88 at the break.

LUNCH

Sri Lanka are 338-3 in 109 at lunch on day four with Sangakkara unbeaten on 140 while skipper Mathews is with him on 43.

Ajmal has gone for 104 in 39 overs without picking up a wicket.

Sangakkara back cuts Ajmal through the gap for another boundary in the penultimate over before lunch. SL 336-3.

Ajmal is wicketless after 38 overs and a loose delivery is punched through the covers for a boundary by Mathews. SL 331-3.

Sangakkara flays Rehman through the offside for another boundary. SL 324-3.

Sangakkara slams Rehman to the midwicket fence to bring up the 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Mathews. SL 310-3.

Sangakkara pulls Talha to the square leg fence beating the dive from Azhar Ali. SL 295-3.

Sangakkara threads Talha through the offiside for another boundary. SL 289-3.

Mathews punishes Ajmal by slamming him through cover and flicking to fine leg for a couple of boundaries as the spinner strays in line and length. SL 284-3.

Sangakkara and Mathews have seen off the second new ball following the dismissal of Mahela forcing Misbah to bring on Ajmal into the attack. SL 276-3.

Mathews opens his account with a judicious cover drive off Junaid. SL 266-3.

Sangakkara hits his first boundary of the day by whipping Talha off his pads. SL 261-3.

Junaid strikes trapping Mahela leg before after Pakistan successfully overturn the original decision which is not out. SL 257-3 in 80.4 overs.

Mahela Jayawardene lbw b Junaid Khan 59 (112b 7x4 0x6)

Pakistan take the second new ball and Sangakkara is dropped first ball by Rehman at point.

Kumar Sangakkara struck his 37th Test hundred as he and his retiring team mate Mahela Jayawardene powered Sri Lanka to 252 for two wickets before rain washed out the final session on day three of the first Test against Pakistan on Friday.

In reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 451, Sri Lanka were cruising when rain forced an early tea and a subsequent heavy downpour ensured not another delivery was bowled at the water-logged Galle International Stadium.

Sangakkara remained unbeaten on 102 off 218 balls, having hit 13 fours in his 10th century against Pakistan while Jayawardene was batting on 55.

The pair have added 108 runs for the third wicket, the 18th century partnership between them, with the hosts still trailing Pakistan by 199 runs.