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19 March 2024

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 3: Jayawardene remains unbeaten after Herath heroics

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By Correspondent & Agencies

Mahela Jayawardene remained unbeaten on 49 in his farewell innings after spinner Rangana Herath's career best figures of nine for 127 gave Sri Lanka control of the second Test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Jayawardene, playing his last Test, added 98 for the unbroken third wicket with his long-standing partner Kumar Sangakkara (54 not out) as Sri Lanka ended the third day against Pakistan on 177 for two wickets.

Sri Lanka, leading the two-Test series 1-0, took an overall lead of 165 runs with eight second innings in hand and two days of the Test match remaining.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene negotiated the Pakistan bowling, without injured Junaid Khan, skillfully on a turning track to put their team in a strong position at the end of the day.

Left-handed Sangakkara, who hit four boundaries, reached his 51st test half century before the close.

He survived a close call on 19 when Pakistan unsuccessfully reviewed a not out leg before appeal off Wahab Riaz with replays showing the ball hitting leg stump.

Jayawardene, with whom Sangakkara has associated in 46 half-century partnerships, hit seven fours during his 123-ball knock.

The 37-year-old was cheered by the sizeable crowd for every run he scored after walking out for his last Test knock to a standing ovation and a guard of honour by the Pakistan players.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman dismissed the Sri Lankan opener Upul Tharanga (45) and Kaushal Silva (17) in the afternoon session.

Tharanga hit four boundaries in his 63-ball innings before he dragged the ball on to his stumps while attempting a pull, ending an opening stand of 54 with Silva.

Silva fell to a catch at slip by Younus Khan.

HERATH'S NINE

Earlier, Herath's heroics restricted Pakistan's first innings lead to 12 runs with wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed scoring his maiden Test century.

Pakistan were all out for 332 at the stroke of lunch, replying to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 320.

The visitors' last four wickets added 88 runs to their overnight score of 244 for six, with Sarfraz (103) moving from 66 to his hundred with a superb pulled six off Chanaka Welegedara to become the first Pakistani wicket-keeper in five years to get to three figures.

Sarfraz held the Pakistan tail together during his 127-ball innings before Herath finally had him edging a catch to wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella.

Sarfraz hit one six and seven fours and added 40 runs with Abdur Rehman (16) for the seventh wicket and 28 with Wahab Riaz (17) for the eighth.

Herath continued to run through the Pakistan tail picking up the wickets of Rehman, caught by Jayawardene at slip, Riaz and Saeed Ajmal (four).

Junaid, who did not take the field after being hit by a Dhammika Prasad bouncer while batting, remained unbeaten on 13.

Herath's morning spell on Saturday was four for 29 off 8.1 overs. He became only the second Sri Lankan bowler to take nine wickets in an innings after former off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Sri Lanka enjoyed a lead of 165 after finishing day three on 177-2 after dismissing Pakistan for 332 at SSC in Colombo on Saturday.

Sangakkara (54) and Jayawardene have shared an unbroken 98-run stand for the third wicket.

CLOSE

Sangakkara paddle sweeps Ajmal to complete his 51st half century while Jayawardene is stranded on 49 at close on day three. SL 177-2 in 63 overs.

Mahela breaks the shackles in what could be the penultimate over the day by whacking Rehman inside out for a boundary to move to 49. SL 172-2 in 62 overs.

Part time leg spinner Shehzad nearly succeeds in breaking the partnership as Mahela prods at a delivery which falls just short of the bat-pad fielder. SL 162-2 in 57 overs.

Mahela fetches a couple of consecutive boundaries off Riaz spanking a wide delivery to point and then uppercutting him to third man. SL 153-2 in 53 overs.

Jayawardene dances down the track and swings Rehman to mid-on for a boundary in the first over after the drinks break. SL 138-2 in 47 overs.

Jayawardene gets another boundary jabbing Rehman to third man. SL 128-2 in 43 overs.

Jayawardene sweeps Ajmal for another boundary. SL 122-2 in 40 overs.

Sangakkara on 26 while Jayawardene reaches 11 as Sri Lanka score 109 for 2 in 36 overs. The partnership is 30 as Lanka lead by 97 runs.

Mahela Jayawardene walked out for the last time to bat in Tests to a standing ovation and a guard of honour by the Pakistan players after the visitors sent back the Sri Lanka openers before tea in the second Test on Saturday.

Jayawardene joined Kumar Sangakkara (17) at the crease as Sri Lanka took their overall lead to 74 with eight second innings wickets in hand.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman took the two wickets to fall in the afternoon session to remove Upul Tharanga (45) and Kaushal Silva (17).

Tharanga hit four boundaries in his 63-ball innings before he dragged the ball on to his stumps while attempting a pull, ending an opening stand of 54 with Silva.

Silva fell to a catch at slip by Younis Khan.

Earlier, Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath returned career best figures of nine for 127 but Pakistan took a first-innings lead of 12 after wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed scored his maiden Test century.

Pakistan were all out for 332 at the stroke of lunch, replying to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 320.

The visitors' last four wickets added 88 runs to their overnight score of 244 for six, with Sarfraz (103) moving from 66 to his hundred with a superb pulled six off Chanaka Welegedara to become the first Pakistani wicket-keeper in five years to get to three figures.

Sarfraz held the Pakistan tail together during his 127-ball innings before Herath finally had him edging a catch to wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella.

Sarfraz hit one six and seven fours and added 40 runs with Abdur Rehman (16) for the seventh wicket and 28 with Wahab Riaz (17) for the eighth.

Herath continued to run through the Pakistan tail picking up the wickets of Rehman, caught by Mahela Jayawardene at slip, Riaz and Saeed Ajmal (four).

Junaid Khan remained unbeaten on 13.

Herath's morning spell on Saturday was four for 29 off 8.1 overs. He became only the second Sri Lankan bowler to take nine wickets in an innings after former off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Mahela Jayawardene walked out for the last time to bat in Tests to a standing ovation and a guard of honour by the Pakistan players after the visitors sent back the Sri Lanka openers before tea in the second Test on Saturday.

Jayawardene joined Kumar Sangakkara (17) at the crease as Sri Lanka took their overall lead to 74 with eight second innings wickets in hand.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman took the two wickets to fall in the afternoon session to remove Upul Tharanga (45) and Kaushal Silva (17).

Tharanga hit four boundaries in his 63-ball innings before he dragged the ball on to his stumps while attempting a pull, ending an opening stand of 54 with Silva.

Silva fell to a catch at slip by Younus Khan.

That brings in Jayawardene as he walks into the ground for one last time. Huge cheers and guard of honour again from the Pakistan players.

Brilliant catch from Younus Khan at the slips as Kaushal Silva departs. Second wicket for Rehman. Silva consumed 72 balls to score 17 runs. SL 79-2 in 24.2 overs.

Kaushal Silva c Younis Khan b Abdur Rehman 17 (72b 1x4 0x6)

Pakistan find their first wicket after quite a struggle. Tharanga played on to his stumps. SL 54-1 in 20.2 overs.

Upul Tharanga b Abdur Rehman 45 (63b 5x4 0x6)

Tharanga batting on 36 while Silva on nine. SL 45-0 in 15 overs.

It's going all fine for Tharanga and Silva as Sri Lanka take a 26-run lead. Pakistan have began to operate the spinners. SL 38-0 in 12 overs.

A good start from the Lankan openers. Tharanga makes an aggressive start as he reaches 22 from only 29 deliveries while Silva is still on 7. SL 29-0 in 8 overs.

Tharanga and Silva arrive in the middle as Sri Lanka trail by 12 runs. Riaz to open bowling.

PAKISTAN INNINGS & MORNING SESSION


Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath returned career best figures of nine for 127 but Pakistan took a first-innings lead of 12 after wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed scored his maiden test century on the third day of the second Test on Saturday.

Pakistan were all out for 332 at the stroke of lunch, replying to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 320.

The visitors' last four wickets added 88 runs to their overnight score of 244 for six, with Sarfraz (103) moving from 66 to his hundred with a superb pulled six off Chanaka Welegedara to become the first Pakistani wicket-keeper in five years to get to three figures.

Sarfraz held the Pakistan tail together during his 127-ball innings before Herath finally had him edging a catch to wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella.

Sarfraz hit one six and seven fours and added 40 runs with Abdur Rehman (16) for the seventh wicket and 28 with Wahab Riaz (17) for the eighth.

Herath continued to run through the Pakistan tail picking up the wickets of Rehman, caught by Mahela Jayawardene at slip, Riaz and Saeed Ajmal (four). Junaid Khan was unbeaten on 13.

Herath's morning spell on Saturday was four for 29 off 8.1 overs. He became only the second Sri Lankan bowler to take nine wickets in an innings after former off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

That's the end of Pakistan innings. What a performance from Rangana Herath who claimed nine wickets. Pakistan lead by 12 runs as they finished at 332 in 93.1 overs.

Saeed Ajmal b Herath 4 (12b 0x4 0x6)

The final Pakistan pair seems to frustruating Sri Lank as they add 17 runs for the last wicket. Pak 332-9 in 93 overs.

Herath is in impeccable form as he claims his eighth wicket to remove Sarfraz Ahmed. A well deserved century from him has certainly bailed Pakistan out of trouble. Pak 315-9 in 89.4 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed c Dickwella b Herath 103 (127b 7x4 1x6)

Sarfraz races to his century in brilliant fashion hammering a boundary and a six to Welegedara. He is celebrating as he achieves his 100 from 109 balls with seven boundaries and a six. Pak 311-8 in 86.2 overs.

With Sarfraz Ahmed on 90 he seem to be running out of partners as Wahab Riaz departs. Herath is the man again as he claims his seventh wicket. Pak 301-8 in 86 overs.

Wahab Riaz c Welegedara b Herath 17 (32b 2x4 0x6)

Sarfraz is on 83 while Wahab is giving him company on 10 as Pakistan slowly reduce the deficit to 33. Pak 286-7 in 82 overs.

Herath gets his first wicket for the day as Rehman gets an edge to the slip caught comfortably by Jayawardene. Pak 273-7 in 78.4 overs.

Abdur Rehman c Jayawardene b Herath 16 (47b 2x4 0x6) 

Runs not coming in easily but Sarfraz and Rehman look to be slowly settling in there. Partnership between them has reached 26. Pak 259-6 in 75 overs.

Sarfraz and Rehman's partnership will be crucial for Pakistan as they begin their proceedings. Pak 246-6 in 71 overs.

SECOND DAY RECAP

With still 76 runs behind Pakistan will hope Sarfraz Ahmed batting on 66 will help them reduce the deficit on the third day.

But with Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath bowling brilliantly having already claimed five wickets will look to wrap things up early.