Zeenews Sports Bureau
Colombo: Match Result: DRAW
Sri Lanka managed to score 86 runs as they lost the wickets of Paranavitana and Dilshan.
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Interesting move by Pakistan. They have declared after scoring 100 runs in the second innings. Which means now Sri Lanka will have to chase 260 runs in 37 overs!
Hafeez and Abdur Rehman were the two Pakistan batsmen who were dismissed while Taufeeq Umar (42*) remained unbeaten with Adnan Akmal (0).
Sri Lankan bowled out: Kumar Sangakkara missed a well-deserved double ton as Sri Lanka were dramatically bowled out for 391 during the post-lunch session on Day 5. From 370/5, they were suddenly found themselves at 391 all out.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman came up with a spirited performance as he sent four Lankan batsmen to the pavilion, helping Pakistan to take a lead of 160 runs.
Left-arm paceman Junaid Khan, who took four wickets yesterday, took one more to complete his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Day 5, Lunch: Former skipper Kumar Sangakkara (187*) was all set to score yet another double century as Sri Lanka made 367/5 at lunch of the fifth and final day of the second cricket Test.
Sri Lanka did not lose any wicket in the entire morning session as Pakistan bowlers continued to struggle to take wickets on a docile SSC wicket. With match heading towards a dull draw, people have rightly decided not to throng the stadium. Only 69 runs were added to the score 30.2 overs.
Just 10 wickets have fallen so far in the match which depicts the pathetic nature of the pitch. If ICC is serious in keeping the Test match alive, they need to compel each and every country to make sporting pitches. And they should start with Sri Lanka as the Island nation is often found guilty of making such unproductive tracks.
But nothing stopped Sangakkara from plundering runs at will. He looked very assured against all the Pakistan bowlers and punished them whenever they erred in line and length.
He was ably supported by all-rounder Angelo Mathews (46*), who came into bat yesterday when Sri Lankan were suddenly were looking down the barrel after losing three of their batsmen for ducks in quick succession.
They put on an unbeaten 89-run stand and ensured that Sri Lanka did not lose the match and maintain the 1-0 lead in the series.
Sri Lanka resume on Day 5 with draw being the only possible result of the match, Sri Lanka resumed the final day at 278/5. Kumar Sangakkara, who was unbeaten on 144 when Day 4 stumps were drawn, would like to complete another double century of his Test career.
Earlier on Day 4, Dilshan and Sangakkara added 225 runs for the second wicket. After the double century partnership, Pakistan came back into the game as they scalped Mahela Jayawardene, Samarweera and Ranid for three ducks.
Pakistan declared their first innings at 551/6 but their chance of drawing the series level was hit by rains throughout the entire Day 3 and some times on Day 4.
First Published: Wednesday, July 04, 2012, 09:48