3 Test Series: Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka

[DoubleO7]

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:vsH5-kU5-374fM:http://www.topnews.in/files/Sri-Lanka-Cricket-logo.jpg vs http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:LPJKF89wA7KrJM:http://worldcricketwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/280px-pakistan_cricket_logo.png

July, 4th - July, 24th


Over the last four months, both sides have fought mental battles to rid all memories of the horrific Lahore attack; putting the past behind you and moving on is often easier said than done, though, and it will be a deeply emotional moment when they take the field for the first Test.

They’ve played against each other, of course, most recently in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 only a fortnight ago. Pakistan won that match but the hosts will look to settle the score in a completely different format.

There’s a lot of change in the air. This will be Kumar Sangakkara’s first Test series as captain. Pakistan had welcomed back one rebel ICL player, Abdul Razzaq, in England and now prepare for the return of another - Mohammad Yousuf, whose presence in the middle order will be invaluable.

Sri Lanka have already suffered a setback, with their lead spinner Muttiah Muralitharan missing the Test due to a knee injury. With Chaminda Vaas not included and Lasith Malinga unfit for Tests, their bowling could be a bit weak. Their batsman, though, will be expected to continue their ominous touch from the previous series, where they piled up scores of 644 and 606

Sri Lanka Squad:
*Kumar Sangakkara
Muttiah Muralitharan
Malinda Warnapura
Tharanga Paranavitana
Mahela Jayawardene
Thilan Samaraweera
+Tillakaratne Dilshan
Angelo Mathews
Chamara Kapugedara
Ajantha Mendis,
Thilan Thushara
Nuwan Kulasekara
Dammika Prasad
Kaushal Silva
Suranga Lakmal
In:
Angelo Matthews
Kaushal Silva
Suranga Lakmal
Prasanna Jayawardene
Out:
Muttiah Murilidaran
Lasith Malinga
Chaminda Vaas

Pakistan Squad:
*Younis Khan
Salman Butt
Khurram Manzoor
Mohammad Yousuf
Misbah-ul-Haq
Shoaib Malik
+Kamran Akmal
Umar Gul
Saeed Ajmal
Mohammad Aamer
Danish Kaneria
Abdul Razzaq
Abdur Rauf
Fawad Alam
Faisal Iqbal
In:
Mohammad Aamer
Mohammad Yousuf
Abdul Razzaq
Abdur Rauf
Out:
Shahid Afridi


Recent History:
2008-09 in Pakistan
Drawn 0-0
MOTS: -

2005-06 in Sri Lanka
Pakistan won 1-0
MOTS: Mohammad Asif


Umpires:
Ian Gould (England)
Daryl Harper (Australia)
Alan Hurst (3rd, Australia)


Coverage:
Cricinfo's scorecard and commentary (http://www.cricinfo.com/slvpak2009/engine/current/match/403367.html)

[DoubleO7]

12 wickets on the 1st day and yet, over 300 runs were scored. Pakistan sent Sri Lanka in and bowled them out for 292. Aamer who grabbed everyone during the T20 World Cup, once again dissed the concept of substantial first-class cricket experience required to perform on the international circuit.

The Sri Lankan lower order led by Dilshan scored at a good rate which meant that despite the fall of wickets, Lanka could reach a fair first innings total. Paranavitana was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with 72.

With a little 7 over session for Pakistan to see off they started badly losing both the openers for 15 runs, with both Thushara and Kulasekara bagging a wicket each.

Nervy final moments for Younis Khan, but considering Younis’ current form and with Yousuf set to return to international cricket tonight, Pakistan would feel things are not looking so bad despite the 2 wickets.

[jakethesnake]

Why isn't Murali playing?

[Gibba]

Why isn't Murali playing?

Knee Injury

[DoubleO7]

Why isn't Murali playing?
Muttiah Muralitharan has been ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan in Galle starting on Saturday due to a minor knee injury. The offspinner hurt his patella tendon while training on the eve of the game and has been advised rest.

More... (http://www.cricinfo.com/slvpak2009/content/story/412135.html)

[DoubleO7]

It's currently lunch at Galle. It was a good first session for Pakistan as they lost only 2 wickets and added 105 runs. Rauf played well for his 31 and Younis also played his part but was struggling all through the morning. Yousuf and Misbah have looked solid and for Sri Lanka, Kulashekara bowled well. If Sri Lanka want to win this, they need Mendis to pick of some wickets.

[jakethesnake]

Exciting to have Youhana back playing international cricket. What a talent.

[jakethesnake]

Just a lazy 100 in his first innings back for Yousuf. Good from him. Pakistan in a strong position at 5/300 odd. Mendis yet to make a break through yet.

[DoubleO7]

Well an interesting day where Pakistan played cautiously and took a vital 50 runs lead, thanks mainly to Yousuf's comeback century. He was also ably supported by Misbah and added 139 runs for the 5th wicket. Malik also played well for his 36, but it was Aklmal's late onslaught that gave Pakistan a 50 run lead. Sri Lanka had to face just one over before stumps and they negotiated well with night-watchman Herath facing all the 6 deliveries.

[DoubleO7]

A good day for Pakistan as they bowled out Sri Lanka for 217. Chasing 168 they lost 2 quick wickets in the middle, but Salman and Yousuf have added 32 runs and made sure Pakistan didn't lose their way. They still need 97 runs to win on a pitch which is still conducive for batting. The forecast also seems to be fine for tomorrow.

[DKA]

I came home from work today knowing Pakistan were going to wrap the game up. Then I log onto cricinfo to see "Herath Spins Sri-Lanka To Dramatic Win".

Unbelievable.

Paki's only needed another 90 odd with 8 wickets in hand. This has to be one of the bigger chokes of recent history surely.

Pakistan after being 2/70 chasing 168, they fell like a deck of cards

3/71 - Yousef
4/72 - Butt
5/72 - Malik
6/80 - Akmal
7/85 - Ul-Haq
8/95 - Gul
9/110 - Aamer
10/117 - Rauf

Love it.

Bit of pay back for the T20 final! It's going to be hard to drop Rangana Herath who took 4/15 and also got MOM, in replacement of Murali. Hard call.

But in the meantime, Go Lanka!

[DoubleO7]

When play started today many expected that the match would finish before lunch time, that is what exactly happened, but shockingly, if you are a Pakistani fan, it was Sri Lanka who emerged victorious.

It all started to go horribly wrong for Pakistan after Herath took 2 wickets in the second over of the day. Salman Butt played an atrocious shot to start the slide and from then on Sri Lanka never looked back.

That shot reminds one that was played by Damien Martyn against SA at Sydney in 94. We lost that Test by 5 runs and Martyn was banished from the side for the next 5-6 years. Wonder what will happen to Butt after that shot. Herath and Thushara were virtually unplayable as they made the ball talk. The last 8 wickets fell for just 45 runs.

Sri Lanka on the other hand played superbly on the last day to pull of a miraculous victory. Dilshan was simply magnificent behind the stumps as he kept like a specialist keeper. In fact, his run-out of Yousuf in the first innings limited the Pakistani lead to 50 runs.

Pakistan will be shell shocked with this defeat and a lot of soul searching has to be done from their side if they are to comeback into the series. SL though would be pleased that they can welcome back Murali for the second Test.

An interesting fact, this is only the fourth Test Sri Lanka have won without Murali since his debut. Also, SL have never won a home Test series against Pakistan thus far.

Sri Lanka 1st inn 292
Paranavitana 72
Aamer 3-74
Younis 2-23

Pakistan 1st inn 342
Yousuf 112
Misbah 56
Kulasekara 4-71

Sri Lanka 2nd inn 217
Paranavitana 49
Ajmal 3-34
Aamer 3-38

Pakistan 2nd 117
Butt 28
Thushara 2-21
Mendis 2-27

[Bond,ShaneBond]

Pakistan do this too often.

Good luck to Sri Lanka, they had me worried for the last few days as I had money on them to take the series! I feel a bit better now, but not completely convinced.

I will echo the earlier poster re Yousouf, the man is a King.

Also agree re Murali, Mendis, Harath. That is a nice problem to have.

I would also like to mention Matthews. I will be honest in saying I knew nothing about him before the T20, but he has a sensational first class record and is one to watch in tests over the coming years.

[jakethesnake]

Not only did they lose, they lost by a good 50 runs. Horrible chase, tremendous bowling, well done Sri Lanka.

[Bond,ShaneBond]

Below average session from Pakistan there.

[DoubleO7]

There you go. 90 all out. If you thought that things can't get worse than the second innings of the first test match for Pakistan, think again. This has been an even more pathetic batting display by the Pakistanis. A few over confident shots, some faulty defence and a few good deliveries. That was enough for Sri Lanka to rattle through Pakistan and hand them their 8th lowest total ever. Now Sri Lanka will look forward to bat well and just once with conditions being expected to be superb for batting from now on till Day 3.

[DaRick]

That's downright embarrassing. 90 all out.

It's not like the Sri Lankan attack is anything really special (Mendis and occassionally Herath aside). Kulasekara has always struck me as just another line-and-length merchant, Thushara has some pace but doesn't seem like much aside from that, whilst Mathews is apparently a batting all-rounder.

This is more laughable than their collapse to Herath last time around.

[DoubleO7]

And that is stumps on Day 1. What a day of cricket that was. Take it the way you want to. Pakistan bowled out for 90 on what was predicted to be a batting wicket and then, the opponents come out with no sense of urgency in their game at all. Just over 250 runs scored in 84 overs today. The SL captain Sangakkara is in prime position for a Test century and should be happy the way his side went about its business. Certainly the cricket was not as bright as the weather at the P Sara though.

[DKA]

Pakistan were embarrassed for 90 in the 1st Innings, but they have fought back well knocking Sri Lanka over for an under achieving 240, and really should've done better. In doing so, the Pakistani's restricted Sri Lanka's lead to just 150.

Currently Pakistan are 56/0 in their 2nd dig, just 90 runs behind with everyone in the shed.

Lanka's bowlers are having no influence so far. There will be a result, it's only Day 2, just a matter of who can do it. Sri Lanka won't like batting last chasing a tricky total, that's for sure.

[DoubleO7]

Amazing turn around in this match. Pakistani must have had something special for dinner last night or may be breakfast this morning.

They came out with an amazing intent and rattled the Sri Lankan middle order. Then to add to that, the batting clicked as well as Pakistan got off to a good start first up and then followed up the opening partnership with a good partnership for the second wicket as well. Alam registered a hundred on debut and looks pretty good for more too.

Now Pakistan will intend to stretch the lead and if the Sri Lankans do not get wickets, pressure will mount on them with every passing minute.

Day 2: Stumps - Pakistan lead by 28 runs

Pakistan: 178/1
Younis Khan 35 (81)
Fawad Alam 102 (153)

[DoubleO7]

Well, well, only Pakistan can better this. Dismissed for 90 in the first innings, they played brilliantly until lunch to be 135 ahead with 9 wickets in hand.

Alam's and Younis Khan's hard work was undone as Herath and Kulasekara ripped through Pakistan with the second new ball.

Pakistan lost their last 9 wickets for just 35 runs and Sri Lanka will go back to the dressing room on a high.

An interesting observation: Last 4 innings of this test series, 4 dramatic collapses..will there be a 5th one? 171 is the target, almost the same as what Pakistan had to chase down in Galle.

[Bond,ShaneBond]

Test cricket is just something else when the two sides are even. What a series. Masterstroke opening Herath, and Kulasekara appears to be coming of age.

[DoubleO7]

... and that's how the cookie crumbles, ladies and gentleman.

A super performance by Sri Lanka to end this test within 3 days. Pakistan were always going to play catch up after being dismissed for 90 on the first day. They came back strongly on the second day to keep Sri Lanka's lead down.

Pakistan started strongly and things looked good until lunch this evening after which Pakistan just collapsed like a house on fire. They lost their last 9 wickets for just 35 runs, an appalling display of batting from their middle and lower order.

Sri Lanka then played positively, chasing down 171 in under 32 overs to seal their first ever series win against Pakistan at home.

Sri Lanka: 240
Sangakkara 87
Gul 4-43
Ajmal 4-87

Second Innings: 174/3
Warnapura 54
Sangakkara 46

Pakistan: 90
Malik 39
Kulasekara 4-21

Second Innings: 320
Fawad 168
Younis 82
Herath 5-99

[DKA]

Pakistan were in a commanding position being 285/1 and then sensationally collapsed, again, to be 320 all out with a small lead of 170 to defend. I cannot fathom how they can manage to lose it so quickly. They lost 35/9. All they needed was a lead of around 250-300 odd, and for a batsman to hang around to knock the ball around.

One has to wonder what is wrong with Pakistan. It can only be an issue of mental weakness, as the skill is obviously there without question. People get stuck into Sth Africa being chokers, well Pakistan can take the tag for having the most stunning collapses.

Lanka knocked off the runs easily, helped with a great start of 0/60 after the first 10 overs. I wish Sanga was out in the middle when the winning runs were scored.

After what Pakistan did to us in the T20 Final, this is sweet. First series win against Pakistan on Sri Lankan soil. I'll take it.

[jakethesnake]

Herath getting some quite impressive hauls.

[optimistvik]

Srilanka has taken an unbeatable lead of 2-0 and took a sweet revenge of that defeat that they suffered in the T20 final.

[DoubleO7]

Sri Lanka's captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat in the third and final Test at the Sinhalese sports club here on Monday.

Sri Lanka, having already taken a decisive 2-0 lead in the series, recalled veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas for his last Test match in place of spinner Ajantha Mendis.

Pakistan also made one change, bringing in seasoned leg-spinner Danish Kaneria in place of seamer Abdur Rauf.

[DoubleO7]

It was all Pakistan barring the time when they lost 2 wickets up front. Two 90s set things up for Pakistan when Yousuf and Manzoor put together a very good partnership for the 3rd wicket but they lost both of them in quick succession and Pakistan was heading for a collapse.

However, Shoaib Malik and Misbah denied the Sri Lankans a chance to run through Pakistan as they stitched a partnership but again wickets fell in a heap as both of them departed in no time and Gul too followed them.

At close of play, Sri Lanka stay on top thanks to the late wickets. They will look to clean up the tail and keep Pakistan below 320.

[krisholio14]

It was all Pakistan barring the time when they lost 2 wickets up front. Two 90s set things up for Pakistan when Yousuf and Manzoor put together a very good partnership for the 3rd wicket but they lost both of them in quick succession and Pakistan was heading for a collapse.

However, Shoaib Malik and Misbah denied the Sri Lankans a chance to run through Pakistan as they stitched a partnership but again wickets fell in a heap as both of them departed in no time and Gul too followed them.

At close of play, Sri Lanka stay on top thanks to the late wickets. They will look to clean up the tail and keep Pakistan below 320.

All we have to do is keep the pressure up, and they will fold like a deck of cards once again.

[DoubleO7]

It was a bowlers' day today as 14 wickets tumbled to keep the game swinging from one court to the other.

The Sri Lankans started off the day in style by wrapping up the tail in under 4 overs and then themselves fell prey to some high quality spin bowling from Saeed Ajmal and Danish Kaneria, with the latter going on to pick up a five-for.

Pakistan earned a slender lead but would lament the fact that they lost one wicket right at the end of the day. Despite that, the visitors still hold the advantage.

Tomorrow should be another good day for cricket and it'll be interesting to see whether the bowlers shine yet again.

[krisholio14]

It was a bowlers' day today as 14 wickets tumbled to keep the game swinging from one court to the other.

The Sri Lankans started off the day in style by wrapping up the tail in under 4 overs and then themselves fell prey to some high quality spin bowling from Saeed Ajmal and Danish Kaneria, with the latter going on to pick up a five-for.

Pakistan earned a slender lead but would lament the fact that they lost one wicket right at the end of the day. Despite that, the visitors still hold the advantage.

Tomorrow should be another good day for cricket and it'll be interesting to see whether the bowlers shine yet again.

I'm backing we roll them for less than 200 :D

[DoubleO7]

^ Looks like it's heading that way, diablo.

Keenly fought morning session. Pakistan lost wickets early in the day and again lost wickets at regular intervals. The unsuccessful middle order is once again exposed at a very crucial juncture of the match. Sri Lanka have a great chance to get into the tail now and restrict Pakistan. Pakistan on the other hand have to put their act together. They need to stretch this lead to as close to 300 as possible to give their bowlers something to defend. Their chance of that certainly looks grim.

[DoubleO7]

What a fantastic day for Pakistan. They batted superbly and despite losing Younis and Yousuf cheaply they managed to get to a huge lead.

Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal played exceptionally well to get to their hundred and fifty respectively.

The match is steadily slipping away from Sri Lanka's hands and Pakistan is heading towards a stronger and stronger position.

It all boils down to how much Pakistan think is enough. So let us watch out for that. Or who knows, there might be another one of those famous Pakistani collapses tomorrow.

[krisholio14]

What a fantastic day for Pakistan. They batted superbly and despite losing Younis and Yousuf cheaply they managed to get to a huge lead.

Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal played exceptionally well to get to their hundred and fifty respectively.

The match is steadily slipping away from Sri Lanka's hands and Pakistan is heading towards a stronger and stronger position.

It all boils down to how much Pakistan think is enough. So let us watch out for that. Or who knows, there might be another one of those famous Pakistani collapses tomorrow.

I'm happy to play it out for a draw from here :D

[Gibba]

I'm happy to play it out for a draw from here :D

A win would be awesome but it would only occur in my wet dreams :(

[Bond,ShaneBond]

Sanga with the save! What a great champion he is, and a great start to his captaincy career too. He is my favourite batsman in the world.

Really excellent series, all three matches had huge momentum shifts, and great comebacks. Unfortunately, this series may not be appreciated by many due to it occurring during the Ashes build up and the first two tests of that series as well.

This series has confirmed that a Test between two evenly matched teams is the superior form of cricket.

EDIT: I should also mention Matthews. What a fine young talent he is.

[krisholio14]

I knew this morning when Sanga was still there overnight we were a good chance to hang on :thumbsu:

[DoubleO7]

This came as a surprise to me. Tillakaratne Dilshan was padded up and from his reactions one would have guessed that he was raring to go.

For a moment I thought that we were going to have an interesting last hour but Sri Lanka decided not to try and win it and the match ended in a draw.

That doesn't take any credit away from the Sri Lankans for batting bravely in the last two days.

Pakistan will be happy on having found some form and Sri Lanka for having won the series.

Kumar Sangakkara is the Man of the Match for his match saving 130 off 303 balls.

Nuwan Kulasekara is the Man of the Series for his 17 wickets at 15.05 whilst conceding a miserly 2.67 runs per over.

Pakistan 1st innings: 299
Khurram Manzoor 93 (197)
Mohammad Yousuf 90 (146)
Thilan Thushara 5-83

Pakistan 2nd innings: 425-9
Shoaib Malik 134 (240)
Misbah-ul-Haq 65 (149)
Rangana Herath 5-157

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 233
Mahela Jayawardene 79 (153)
Kumar Sangakkara 45 (56)
Danish Kaneria 5-62

Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 391-4
Kumar Sangakkara 130* (303)
Tharanga Paranavitana 73 (126)
Danish Kaneria 2-114

[swanton]

UMAR AKMAL what a little gem this kid is (brother of kamran, i think) did very well against australia A, and just scored a centry in a one dayer batting at number 8.

hopefully he is selected to tour to australia, would love to see him live