Published: Jun 21, 2015, 02:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 21, 2015, 02:43 PM (IST)
Pakistan have bowled out Sri Lanka for a score of 206 at Tea on the fifth and final day of in the first Test at Galle on Sunday. Pakistan now need just 90 runs to win this Test and take the lead in the series.
Pakistan had reduced Sri Lanka to 63 for two at the end of day four and Yasir Shah struck with his first ball to send back Dilruwan Perera, the nightwatchman. Lahiru Thirimanne and Dimuth Karunaratne shared a 69-run stand to ensure the hosts got into the lead but Wahab Riaz struck with the first ball of his spell to end back Thirimanne on 44 to have hosts 144 for four at Lunch. Live cricket updates: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 1st Test at Galle, Day 5
The visitors continued to dominate after the break as Shah dismissed Angelo Mathews, who has given out rather controversially. The hosts were under severe pressure and Karunaratne threw away his wicket after a hard earned 79. And when Kithuruwan Vithanage holed out to deep square leg, it give Shah his second five-wicket haul in Tests. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st Test, Galle, Day 5
Sri Lanka continued to play bad when Dhammika Prasad was just let off after a close leg before call but was stumped on the very next ball, trying to hit out Babar and was stumped. Rangana Herath too came in and went for the glory shot instead of looking to play for his partner who was batting really well. Chandimal was running out of partners and he was the last man to get out, stumped of the bowling of Shah.
Pakistan will hope for no weather interruptions as they attempt to chase down the target of 90 runs. Shah was the pick of the bowlers for them taking seven for 76 and he never let the Sri Lankan batsmen settle down. Babar gave him good support and Riaz chipped in with wickets at key moments.
Sri Lanka led by Dhammika Prasad had them 118 for five at the end of the third day’s play. But what followed next was a superb comeback from Pakistan. Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq first added 139 runs; highest sixth wicket stand in Tests against Sri Lanka for Pakistan to get them back in the game. Sarfraz missed out on his ton, when he got bowled out for 96, trying to sweep Prasad. Zulfiqar Babar though came in and helped himself to 56 as Shafiq brought up his seventh Test ton. Perera took four wickets while Prasad finished with three wickets. Read: SL vs PAK 2015, 1st at Galle: Sarfraz Ahmed’s aggression catches Sri Lanka off guard
After inserting Sri Lanka to bat on Day Two, Pakistan eventually bowled out Sri Lanka for a score of 300. Kaushal Silva with his 125 was the top scorer for them with Sangakkara chipping in with his 52nd Test fifty. Riaz and Babar took three wickets apiece. Rain had washed out the entire first day’s play.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 300 (Kaushal Silva 125, Kumar Sangakkara 50; Wahab Riaz 3 for 74, Zulfiqar Babar 3 for 64) & 206 (Dimuth Karunaratne 79, Lahiru Thirimanne 44; Wahab Riaz 2 for 46, Yasir Shah 7 for 76) lead Pakistan 417 (Asad Shafiq 131, Sarfraz Ahmed 96, Zulfiqar Babar 56; Dhammika Prasad 3 for 91, Dilruwan Perera 4 for 122) by 90 runs.
(Nikhil Popat is a diehard cricket enthusiast and a PotterHead till the end of time. He can be followed on Twitter @CricCrazyNIKS)
