Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Sri Lanka Vs Pak Secant Test Draw

Kumar Sangakkara missed a double-century for the 2nd successive match as the rain-hit second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a dreary draw in Colombo on Wednesday.

Sangakkara, who was stranded on an unbeaten 199 in the 1st Test at Galle, was dismissed for 192 after helping Sri Lanka avoid the embarrassment of follow-on on the 5th and last day.

The hosts, who began the day needing 74 more runs to make Pakistan bat again, were all out for 391 in the post-lunch sitting in reply to Pakistan's 551-6 declared. Pakistan, leading by 160 runs on the 1st innings, made 100-2 in their 2nd knock when captain Misbah-ul Haq close the innings soon after tea to attempt an unlikely win.
Sri Lanka appeared fair-minded in chasing the tough win target of 261 in 37 overs and was 86-2 in 22 overs when the match was called off at the Sinhalese Sports Club.Sri Lanka will head for the 3rd and last Test in Pallekele from Sunday with a 1-0 lead, having won the opening encounter in Galle by 209 runs.

The home side, who began the day at 278-5, were steered out of trouble by a 89-run stand for the 6 th wicket between Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews (47).But Mathews' dismissal soon after lunch triggered a middle-order collapse in which Sri Lanka lost their last 5 wickets for 21 runs. Young left-arm seamer Junaid Khan finished with his second 5-wicket haul in Tests and spinner Abdur Rehman claimed four as the Pakistanis extract more from the slow pitch than their Sri Lankan counterpart.
Sangakkara looked set for his ninth double-century when he fell against the run of play after defy Pakistan's attack for almost nine hours. The left-hander step out to loft Rehman and only managed a thick edge to Taufeeq Umar at square-leg.Kumar Sangakkara, who hit 15 fours and a 6 in his 30th Test century, raised a cry of suffering before walking off to warm clapping from less than 500 spectators at the ground.

Sangakkara is already the highest run-getter against Pakistan, having surpassed Indian great Sunil Gavaskar's tally of 2,089 runs when he reached 60 on Tuesday. He has nine 3-figure knocks against Pakistan with a top score of 230 in Lahore in March, 2002.Junaid had Mathews caught at the back and then bowled Nuwan Kulasekara, while Rehman dismiss Prasanna Jayawardene and last man Nuwan Pradeep to finish the innings.

In the brief 2nd innings for both teams, Taufeeq Umar scored an unbeaten 42 for Pakistan and Tharanga Paranavitana made 32 for Sri Lanka.The Test was marred by bad climate, which allowed just 71 of the set 180 overs to be bowled on the second and3rd days.

Man Of The Match
Junaid Khan

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