Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 1: Jayawardene fails in final test

Mahela Jayawardene fell cheaply in his final test as Pakistan came back strongly in the last session to grab five wickets and reduce Sri Lanka to 261 for eight on the first day of the second Test on Thursday.

Dhammika Prasad was unbeaten on four at the close after captain Angelo Mathews was dismissed for 39 in the final over of the day when he was caught down the leg side off Wahab Riaz.

Left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan took three of the four wickets to fall in the session and ended the day with figures of four for 69.

"There wasn't much in the pitch but if you bowl in good areas and work hard then you can get something out of it," Junaid told reporters.

"If you bowl bad balls in bad areas you can score as well.

"From one end Wahab bowled with pace and bounce which made the batsmen scared and he was bowling with swing and at the stumps and it worked very well for Pakistan."

There was great expectation from the spectators who had turned up to see former captain Jayawardene play in his 149th test, but the elegant 37-year-old lasted just 16 balls and made four runs before he was trapped lbw by Saeed Ajmal in the first over after tea.

Pakistan also grabbed the wicket of opener Upul Tharanga when he flicked a ball from Riaz and the inside edge that came off his pad was held smartly by Azhar Ali at short leg after a fumble.

Tharanga scored 92 off 179 balls including 12 fours.

"We need to get as many runs as possible tomorrow, because first innings runs are crucial on a track that is turning from the first day," Tharanga said.

"That will go a long way towards determining the outcome of the match.

"If we get a few wickets, our bowlers can put them under pressure. You can't score runs freely, like SSC tracks of the past."

FRUITFUL SESSION

The final session was Pakistan's most fruitful for they took four wickets including that of Lahiru Thirimanne for 20, Niroshan Dickwella for 24 and Dilruwan Perera for a duck.

Thirimanne edged Junaid to Sarfraz after being missed on 14 by Khurram Manzoor at first slip.

Dickwella and Perera were lbw victims to the second new ball.

Dickwella unsuccessfully challenged the umpire's decision and lost a review for his team but Pakistan were successful with Perera's dismissal which the umpire had initially ruled not out.

Kumar Sangakkara, the most prolific scorer in the series so far, had a testing time against Wahab Riaz before he was bowled off an inside edge for just 22.

Riaz peppered Sangakkara, who scored a double century in the first test, with short-pitched balls which momentarily shook his confidence and eventually led to his downfall.

As Sangakkara departed, Jayawardene walked out to a standing ovation and the Pakistan players formed a guard of honour as fire-crackers exploded around the packed Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Sri Lanka, who won the first test by seven wickets, had batted cautiously to reach 69 without loss at lunch after winning the toss.

EVENING SESSION

That's the big wicket of Mathews, the last recognised batsman standing. Pakistan fast bowlers doing a wonderful job as Wahab Riaz gets his third. That also ends day one as umpires call it a day. SL 261-8 in 85.1 overs.

Angelo Mathews c Sarfraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 39 (86b 3x4 0x6)

That's Junaid Khan's fourth wicket. A strong appeal is turned down by umpire but a review from Pakistan turns successful. SL 249-7 in 82.5 overs.

Dilruwan Perera lbw b Junaid Khan 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Junaid Khan again and he strikes immediately after the new ball is taken. SL 249-6 in 82.2 overs.

Niroshan Dickwella lbw b Junaid Khan 24 (27b 2x4 0x6)

With around 12 overs left for the day, Mathews and Dickwell adopting a cautious approach. Pakistan keen on another few wickets. SL 236-5 in 78 overs.

Sri Lanka suddenly seem to losing the plot as they lose another wicket. Junaid has bowled excellent spells and is being rewarded for his consistency. Thirimanne becomes his second victim. SL 215-5 in 74.3 overs.

Lahiru Thirimanne c Sarfraz Ahmed b Junaid Khan 20 (50b 2x4 0x6)

Sri Lanka reach 200 for four in 70.3 overs. Thirimanne batting on 11, Mathews on 15.

That was unlucky for Tharanga as he misses out on a well deserved century. A great catch taken by Azhar Ali at short leg as Tharanga is out for 92. SL 177-4 in 59.3 overs.

Upul Tharanga c Azhar Ali b Wahab Riaz 92 (179b 12x4 0x6)

Pakistan gain advantage immediately after tea as Ajmal traps Jayawardene. He gets standing ovation as he returns to the pavilion. SL 167-3 in 55 overs.

Mahela Jayawardene lbw b Saeed Ajmal 4 (16b 0x4 0x6)

Upul Tharanga is unbeaten on 81 as Sri Lanka scored 162 for two in 54 overs.

Pakistan bowlers toiled hard and managed to pick up two wickets including the important wicket of Sangakkara.

Mahela Jayawardene who is playing his last Test is batting on four.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Sri Lanka fans did not have long to wait to see former skipper Mahela Jayawardene walk out to bat in his final test after Pakistan took two wickets in the afternoon session on the first day of the second test on Thursday.

The hosts had reached 162 for two at the tea interval, with opener Upul Tharanga on 81 and Jayawardene, batting at number four, unbeaten on four in his 149th and final test appearance.

Pakistan ended a stubborn opening stand in the sixth over after lunch when Junaid Khan induced an outside edge off the bat of Kaushal Silva to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Silva scored a patient 41 in a partnership of 79 with Tharanga as Sri Lanka looked to build a solid platform in the second match of a two-test series they lead 1-0 after a thrilling victory in Galle.

Kumar Sangakkara, the most prolific scorer in the series so far, had a testing time against Wahab Riaz before he was bowled off an inside edge for just 22.

Riaz peppered Sangakkara, who scored a double century in the first test, with short-pitched balls which momentarily shook his confidence and eventually led to his downfall.

As Sangakkara departed, Jayawardene walked out to a standing ovation and the Pakistan players formed a guard of honour as fire-crackers exploded around the packed Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

The batting stalwart survived a tough first ball from Riaz that beat his outside edge but he was soon off the mark with a single from the fourth delivery he faced.

At the stroke of tea, however, visibly emotional from the warm reception he received, Jayawardene edged a delivery from Junaid which Sarfraz narrowly failed to get a glove under.

Sri Lanka had started slowly to reach 69 without loss at lunch after winning the toss and opting to bat.

Lead off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his bowling action after being reported by the umpires following the last test, was brought on in the 15th over and immediately induced a false stroke from Tharanga.

Tharanga survived a difficult stumping chance on 24 when he launched into Ajmal but wicket-keeper Sarfraz, who was not wearing a helmet, failed to collect the ball as it reared up alarmingly and hit him on the left ear.

Play was delayed for a while as Sarfraz received treatment on the field.

Mahela taking his time while Tharanga reaches 78. SL 158-2 in 52 overs.

Celebrations as Mahela enters the ground. Pakistan players form a guard of honour. Great gesture as fire works begin.

Sangakkara departs as Wahab Riaz celebrates the big wicket. SL 144-2 in 47.5 overs

Kumar Sangakkara b Wahab Riaz 22 (45b 2x4 0x6)

A fine patient knock from Tharanga as he scores his half century in 113 deliveries including five boundaries. SL 109-1 in 40 overs.

Tharanga gets his fourth boundary as he races to 43 from 101 balls. Sangakkara has joined him and will be looking for another good innings. SL 88-1 in 35 overs.

Pakistan finally draw first blood as Junaid Khan removes Kaushal Silva. He has been bowling well and finally manages to get Silva's edge. SL 79-1 in 32.5 overs.

Kaushal Silva c Sarfraz Ahmed b Junaid Khan 41 (106b 6x4 0x6)

Saeed Ajmal has been very effective putting the Lankan batsmen on an uncomfortable zone. But no luck with the wickets as of now. SL 74-0 in 30 overs

MORNING SESSION

It's been a quiet session for Lanka as they chose to bat first after winning the toss.

Openers went about their task comfortably taking Sri Lanka to 69 for no loss in 27 overs.

Upul Tharanga is batting on 28 while Kaushal Silva is on 38.

Tharanga batting on 25 while Silva is on 33 as Lanka reach 61-0 in 25 overs.

It's smooth sailing for Lanka with openers continuing to carry on their good work. Both of them are in their 20s. SL 54-0 in 20 overs.

Partnership reaches 50 from the openers as Lanka eye a big total. A huge crowd has gathered expecting Mahela to arrive in the middle. SL 52-0 in 17 overs.

With nothing much for the pacers, Pakistan bring in the spin attack. Abdur Rehman bowls his first over but does not look to make much of an impact. SL 28-0 in 10 overs.

Not much on the wicket for the fast bowlers. Lanka openers look to be on comfort zone. SL 13-0 in 5 overs.

A positive start for Lanka as Tharanga drives a fine boundary. SL 6-0 in 1 over.

Upul Tharanga and Kaushal Silva are in the middle. They should be getting a good start for sure.

It's a good toss to win for Sri Lanka. The wicket looks perfect for batting and skipper Mathews wants to make it 2-0 to give Jayawardene a perfect send off.

Playing XI

Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Dhammika Prasad, Chanaka Welegedara.

Pakistan: Khurram Manzoor, Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan

PREVIEW

Pakistan are not worried about Saeed Ajmal's reporting for a suspect bowling action and are confident that the ace off-spinner will be cleared, captain Misbah-ul-Haq said.

Match officials reported Ajmal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a suspect bowling action following the first Test defeat by Sri Lanka in Galle but is permitted to bowl until his bowling is scrutinized further.

The 36-year-old, who has taken 174 wickets in 34 Tests at an average of 27.79, was also reported for the same offence in 2009 but was later cleared by the ICC.

"As far as the main bowler Saeed Ajmal is concerned it has been done before and that's not a worry for us," Misbah told reporters on the eve of the second Test in Colombo.

"He's been through this process before and I hope he will be fine. We will just concentrate on our game and look forward to playing good cricket and try to win this Test."

Misbah blamed the lack of consistency from his side for their seven-wicket loss at Galle.

"We played well in patches. On and off we performed well and we lacked consistency and could not win every session," the 40-year-old said.

"We want to make sure in this Test it doesn't happen with our batting and back ourselves with good bowling and fielding. We have to improve in all departments."

The Pakistan bowlers struggled to bowl the hosts out in Galle but the captain backed his bowlers to come good.

"Their batsmen know these conditions very well. Players like Kumar Sangakkara, who is world class and in good form, when he gets set it will be very difficult for any team to handle their bowlers," said Misbah.

"These are the reasons why it's not easy to get these batsmen out in good batting conditions.

"We should not always blame our bowlers in good batting conditions, sometimes you play into the hands of the batsmen."

Sangakkara scored his tenth double hundred in Sri Lanka's first innings to move second to Don Bradman in the all-time list of test double centuries.

Misbah was also aware that getting the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene, who will play his final test, would be crucial for his side.

"Everybody knows that he is a class player and in this particular ground he has scored so many runs and so many centuries. As a team we want to get him early," Misbah added.

"He's a kind of player who can be a dangerous customer. You just can't go on the records that he has not scored heavily against us. We have to be really focused on him."

FIGHTING ATTITUDE

Cricketers like Mahela Jayawardene come around very rarely and younger players in the team have a lot to learn from his fighting attitude, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said on the eve of the veteran batsman's last Test match.

The second Test against Pakistan will be an emotional one for Sri Lanka and Jayawardene as the 37-year-old bids farewell to Test cricket as one of its prolific run-scorers.

"As we all know, it's going to be Mahela's last game. It's an emotional moment for everyone... we want to win it for him," Mathews told reporters on Wednesday.

"When you walk into a game, we want to win all the time, that's the attitude we take, regardless of what's happening around. We want to keep our focus and play it for Mahela.

"It will take a long time to replace him because he's the kind of player that comes around very rarely. We can't do his service justice with words.

"As a team we're very sad he's retiring. The best thing we can do is play well in this match and win it for him.".

Mathews said the team especially the younger players will miss Jayawardene's presence in the dressing room.

Jayawardene will be playing in his 149th test match, the most by a Sri Lankan cricketer.

"Mahela is a real fighter. If you go into a warm-up match with him, he'll still try to fight and win. That's the kind of character he is, he's an unbelievable player," Mathews added.

"He puts options on the table and he's the most senior guy in the team, and we're going to miss him so much. The younger guys, including me, have learned so much from him.

"Up to now, he has supported me right throughout from day one, and I'm really thankful to him for that."

 

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