10.31 AM Tuesday, 19 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 05:07 06:20 12:29 15:54 18:33 19:47
19 March 2024

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Lanka beat rain to win thriller

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Retiring Mahela Jayawardene took on the unusual role of opening batsman to hand Sri Lanka a thrilling seven-wicket victory on the final day of the first Test against Pakistan in Galle on Sunday.

The hosts, needing 99 to win in a minimum of 21 overs, beat fading light and approaching rain to cruise home in the 17th over in front of some 5,000 jubilant home fans.

Jayawardene, who is due to retire from Test cricket after the two-match series, scored 26 before Kumar Sangakkara (21) and skipper Angelo Mathews (25 not out) chipped in lower down the order.

Mathews and Kithuruwan Vithanage smashed 17 runs in the 16th over bowled by Junaid Khan and then scored the winning run in the next over just before rain hit Galle.

The win was set up by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who claimed six for 48 that bundled Pakistan out for 180 in their second innings in the post-tea session.

"It was one of the best games I have been part of," said Mathews. "I was praying for a bit of sunshine and the rain staying away for some more time, but we managed to get through in the end."

Mathews attributed the win to Sangakkara's 221 in the first innings and Herath's six wickets earlier on Sunday, and hoped they would also win the final Test to give Jayawardene a perfect farewell.

"Sangakkara is such a great player and Herath was unbelievable," he said. "We want to focus on the next game and win it for Mahela, who is such an unbelievable player."

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq rued the missed chances on the field, but admitted Sri Lanka were deserving winners.

"Dropped catches cost us badly, especially the one off Sangakkara," Misbah said, referring to the chance spilled at point by Abdur Rehman off the first ball of the fourth day when the batsman was on 102.

"Also our batting in the second innings could have been better. This was too good a wicket to get bowled out for 180. But the better team won. We must forget this game and get ready for the next one."

Pakistan, who started the day at 4-1, lost three wickets in the morning session to go to lunch on 66-4.

The tourists added eight runs in the morning when seamer Dhammika Prasad had nightwatchman Saeed Ajmal edging a catch to wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad made 16 when he was given out leg-before to off-spinner Dilruwan Perera to make it 39-3.

Shehzad, who consulted his partner Azhar Ali before deciding not to ask for an umpire's review, would have survived if he had signalled for it. Television replays showed the ball missing the leg stump.

Herath dealt Pakistan a bigger blow when he bowled first innings century-maker Younis Khan for 13 to reduce the tourists to 55-4.

Ali and Misbah put on 56 for the fifth wicket on either side of lunch when both fell at the same total to make it 111-6 - just 29 runs ahead with 45 overs left in the game.

Ali (41) was caught behind off Herath and Misbah (28) was leg-before to Perera in the next over.

Pakistan found themselves pinned against the wall at 133-7 when Asad Shafiq, the last recognised batsman, was leg-before to Herath for eight.

Seamer Shaminda Eranga had Abdur Rehman caught behind at the stroke of tea before Herath dismissed Mohammad Talha and last man Junaid to leave gutsy Sarfraz Ahmed stranded on 52 not out.

TARGET

Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with a magnificent victory chasing a down a target of 99 in a minimum 21 overs with plenty to spare with the rain pouring down immediately after the winning run was made.

Mathews scrambles for a single as Sri Lanka reached the target of 99 in 16.2 overs to beat fading light and threat of rain to pull off a thrilling seven-wicket victory.

Skipper Mathews was unbeaten on 25 while Vithanage a brilliant cameo of 11.

Mathews blasts Talha over midwicket for a six to bring the scores level.

Vithanage hooks Junaid for a magnificent six over square leg as Sri Lanka need just seven to win.

Vithanage cracks Junaid to third man for a boundary. Lanka need 13 to win.

Mathews clobbers Junaid for a massive six over midwicket. Lanka need 18 to win.

Sri Lanka need 24 from 36 balls in fading light.

Sangakkara is gone holing out to Manzoor at deep midwicket off Talha. SL 73-3 in 14.1 overs.

Kumar Sangakkara c Khurram Manzoor b Mohammad Talha 21 (22b 3x4 0x6)

Mathews pulls a short ball from Junaid to fine leg for a boundary and smashes a full toss through the covers for another boundary. SL 73-2 in 14 overs need 26 from 42 balls.

Sri Lanka need 37 from eight overs with light fluctuating.

Skipper Mathews has come the middle with Sri Lanka needing 40 from 54 balls and light fading.

Junaid stuns the massive crowd at Galle by castling Mahela who plays on and walks out from the middle for the final time at this venue. SL 59-2 in 11.5 overs.

Mahela Jayawardene b Junaid Khan 26 (35b 3x4 0x6)

Pakistan are in no hurry to get proceedings moving but Sangakkara decides to take matters into his own hands by uppercutting Junaid to the third man fence.

Rain clouds are gathering against putting pressure on the Sri Lanka batsmen. SL 53-1 in 11 over need 46 from 10 overs.

Sangakkara punches Junaid back over the bowler's head for another boundary. SL 48-1 in 10 overs.

Sangakkara sweeps Ajmal powerfully for a boundary to fine leg. SL 40-1 in 9 overs.

Mahela edges Junaid between the keeper and slip for a boundary. SL 33-1 in 8 overs.

Junaid has struck knocking the off stump of Tharanga. SL 28-1 in 7.2 overs.

Upul Tharanga b Junaid Khan 12 (20b 2x4 0x6) 

Sri Lanka need 75 off the 15 mandatory overs and Mahela reverse sweeps the first ball from Ajmal for a boundary. SL 28-0 in 7 overs

Junaid bowls another good over giving away just two runs. SL 24-0 in 6 overs.

Ajmal concedes only a couple to Mahela to steers to third man. SL 22-0 in 5 overs.

Tight over by Junaid. SL 20-0 in 4 overs.

Tharanga carves Ajmal to third man for a delightful boundary after playing a few dot balls. SL 18-0 in 3 overs.

Mahela dabs at a widish delivery from Junaid to send the ball scattering through the vacant slip for a boundary while the sun too has emerged from the dark clouds. SL 13-0 in 2 overs.

The ground staff are on the ready as rain clouds gather.

Tharanga gets a boundary off the first ball from Ajmal via a thick outside edge flying to third man. SL 7-0.

Mahela and Tharanga open the Sri Lanka innings with Tharanga in what is turning out to be a Twenty20 run chase.

Sri Lanka need 99 to win in a minimum of 21 overs.

PAKISTAN SECOND INNINGS

Pakistan are all out for 180 with Sarfraz unbeaten on 52.

Sarfraz takes a single off the first ball and Herath traps last man Junaid leg before for a golden duck with Pakistan being unsuccessful with the review. Pak all out 180 in 80.3 overs.

Junaid Khan lbw b Herath 0 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Sri Lanka have taken the second new ball with Pak 180-9 and Herath continues bowling.

Herath claims his fifth wicket as Talha gets a faint edge to be caught behind with the decision being upheld after a Pakistan review. Pak 178-9 in 78.2 overs.

Mohammad Talha c Dickwella b Herath 4 (13b 1x4 0x6)

Prasad comes back into the attack and Sarfraz manages to flick a short ball for a couple to complete his half century.

Sarfraz continues to defy Sri Lanka cutting Herath past backward point for a boundary and getting another boundary with a late cut off Eranga.

Talha flicks Eranga to square leg for a boundary as the Pakistan tailender adds useful runs. Pak 163-8.

Spin twins Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera enlivened the home crowd by capturing three wickets in the afternoon to push Pakistan towards the brink of defeat in the first Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

At tea on the fifth day, Pakistan were teetering on 153 for eight wickets, a lead of just 71 with only two second innings wickets in hand and one session remaining of a thrilling match that had appeared destined for a draw after four days.

Pakistan will be pinning their hopes on Sarfraz Ahmed (29 not out) to steer the tourists to safety after Sri Lanka had captured four wickets in the session at the cost of just 87 runs.

Pakistan had looked relatively composed at the crease after lunch until Sri Lanka took two wickets off three balls as spinners Herath and Perera combined to reduce the visitors to 111-6.

Herath ended Azhar Ali's stubborn knock of 41 off 151 balls by having him caught behind by Niroshan Dickwella off an edge, and Perera got rid of Misbah-ul-Haq lbw for 28 when he went back to a delivery that was pitched in line with the stumps.

The umpire was not convinced by the height of the ball but Sri Lanka successfully challenged his decision.

Misbah had earlier survived an lbw decision against Perera on eight when the umpire also got it wrong. The Pakistan captain lodged a successful challenge when replays showed the ball brushing his glove.

Herath pushed Pakistan further into trouble by getting rid of Asad Shafiq lbw for eight with an arm ball that beat his forward prod.

This time, the review system came to Sri Lanka's aid after the umpire had ruled Shafiq not out.

ERANGA'S 50TH

Sri Lanka completed a fine session when Shaminda Eranga, brought back for the final over before tea, had Abdur Rehman caught behind by Dickwella for one.

Eranga's first wicket of the match was also his 50th Test victim.

TEA

Pakistan are 153-8 in 71.5 overs as tea is taken with the tourists having a lead of 71 and Sri Lanka having dominated the afternoon session.

Sarfraz Ahmed is unbeaten on 29 off 39 balls standing in the way of Sri Lanka's victory push.

Eranga gets the breakthrough with a perfect outswinger to left hander to claim his 50th wicket. Pak 153-8 in 71.5 overs.

Abdur Rehman c Dickwella b Eranga 1 (19b 0x4 0x6)

Sarfraz is hitting is way out of trouble smashing two consecutive boundaries off Herath through mid-on and midwicket. Pak 146-7.

Sri Lanka are successful with another decision review as Herath traps Shafiq leg before with an arm ball. Pak 133-7 in 63.5 overs.

Asad Shafiq lbw b Herath 8 (25b 1x4 0x6)

Sarfraz drives Dilruwan confidently through the offside for a boundary as Pakistan fight back. Pak 129-6.

The double blow has brought the game alive again midway through the afternoon session. Pak 116-6

Sri Lanka win a decision review as Dilruwan strikes a massive blow for Pakistan trapping Misbah in front with the skipper playing all over it. Pak 111-6 in 58.1 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Perera 28 (64b 2x4 1x6)

Herath gets another breakthrough as Azhar pushes at a delivery only to edge it behind with Dickwella taking a low catch. Pak 111-5 in 57.5 overs.

Azhar Ali c Dickwella b Herath 41 (151b 4x4 0x6)

DECISION REVIEW!
Misbah survives a confident appeal for leg before by Eranga after being rapped on the pads by a full toss but Sri Lanka are unsuccessful with the review. Pak 108-4.

Azhar punches Eranga straight down the ground and then picks up three to bring up the 50-run partnership with Misbah.

The 100 comes in 53.5 overs as Misbah and Azhar calmly pick up singles to thwart Sri Lanka's push for victory.

Azhar clips Eranga to the midwicket fence. Pak 96-4.

Misbah wiped out the deficit by whacking Dilruwan for a six over midwicket and then reverse sweeps for a boundary to third man. Pak 91-4.

Azhar tickles Dilruwan down the leg side to fine leg for a boundary. Pak 75-4.

DECISION REVIEW! Misbah survives after being adjudged leg before off Dilruwan with Pakistan being successful with the decision revivew. Pak 71-4.

Sri Lanka picked up three wickets in an absorbing morning session to put Pakistan under pressure to save the first Test on Sunday, the home side turning the screw on the fifth and final day of a match that appeared destined to end in a draw.

Pakistan went to lunch on a wobbly 66 for four wickets, still trailing Sri Lanka's first innings total by 16 runs with six second innings wickets in hand and two sessions remaining in the test.

Azhar Ali (18) and Misbah-ul-Haq (seven) are the not out batsman at the interval and the tourists will be hoping they can stick around long enough to ensure the teams are level heading to the final match of the two-test series.

Sri Lanka quickly removed nightwatchman Saeed Ajmal in the sixth over of the morning when he edged paceman Dhammika Prasad to wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella with his score on four.

Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera then dismissed opener Ahmed Shehzad for 16 when he was trapped in front of the wicket as he pushed forward.

Shehzad opted against reviewing the umpire's decision, something he will regret with television replays suggesting that the ball was missing leg stump.

Rangana Herath wrapped up a good morning for Sri Lanka by getting rid of first innings centurion Younus Khan for 13, bowled between bat and pad by an arm ball as he played for the turn.

LUNCH

Pakistan are 66-4 in 38 overs at lunch, trailing by just 16 runs.

Misbah decides attack is the best form of defence lofting Herath over his head for a boundary. Pak 59-4.

Herath takes the prized wicket of Younis Khan is castled after playing down the wrong line and beaten through the gate. Pak 55-4 in 36.3 overs.

Younis Khan b Herath 13 (25b 2x4 0x6)

Younis continue to play positively slamming a low full toss from Eranga down the ground for a boundary. Pak 54-3.

The 50 comes up in 33.3 overs as Pakistan seem intent on battling for survival against the spin of Herath and Dilruwan.

Younis comes into the middle and shows positive intent opening his account with a boundary first ball cracking Dilruwan through the covers. Pak 43-3.

Pakistan are rueing their decision of not going for the review with replays suggesting the ball would have missed the stumps.

Dilruwan strikes as Shehzad is trapped leg before after shuffling across his stumps. Pak 39-3 in 26.5 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Perera 16 (74b 0x4 0x6)

Azhar hit the first boundary of the final morning after 15 overs with a wristy on drive off Herath. Pak 17-2.

Prasad strikes inducing an outside edge from Ajmal who is caught behind. PAK 11-2 in 11.2 overs.

Saeed Ajmal c Dickwella b Prasad 4 (21b 0x4 0x6)

Eranga begins the final day with a maiden to nightwatchman Ajmal.

DAY 4 RECAP

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.