Pakistan Take Honours Despite Karunaratne Ton
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Third Test – Pallekele, Kandy
Pakistan’s bowlers justified their skipper’s decision to field first when they did a fine job to restrict Sri Lanka to 272 for eight on the first day of their deciding Test in Pallekele.
Pakistan’s cause was helped in no small way by some poor shot selection by the hosts batsmen for the third straight time in this short series.
After losing their ‘rock’ of the previous two games – opener Kaushal Silva for only nine with the total on 15, Sri Lanka had worked their way back into the game with a 91-run stand for the second wicket between Karunaratne and Upul Tharanga (46).
From 106 for one, the hosts slid to 137 for four with Lahiru Thirimanne (11) and skipper Angelo Mathews (3) both perishing to reckless shots which undermined all the hard work of the morning.
Jehan Mubarak playing his first test after a lapse of a world record eight years, appeared to have the right approach and batted watchfully eschewing all risky shots. He and Karunaratne had added a crucial 67 for the fifth wicket when Mubarak (25) charged part time bowler Azhar Ali, missed the bll and was easily stumped.
With the three-match series locked at 1-1, Sri Lanka edged along to their total for the loss of eight wickets and would have been in deeper trouble had opener Dimuth Karunaratne not posted a brilliant 130.
The opener faced 230 balls and cracked 14 fours in an exciting knock which came to an end when he came down the pitch to Azhar Ali and was stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed.
After his innings, a 92-ball 46 from Upul Tharanga was the best Sri Lanka could offer, with the number three batsman one of four wickets picked up by Yasir Shah (four for 77).
Karunaratne lost opening partner Kaushal Silva for nine, edging Rahat Ali (two for 74) behind, before a stand of 91 with Tharanga. He perished, though, steering Yasir to the hands of Younus Khan at first slip.
Lahiru Thirimanne joined Karunaratne for a 27-run stand which ended when the former holed out to mid-off to give Yasir a second scalp and Angelo Mathews went in the spinner’s next over in identical fashion for just three.
Jehen Mubarak came out to the middle and put on 67 with Karunaratne, reaching 25 before coming down the track to Shah and missing one, losing his wicket stumped.
Karunaratne went in the same way, although perhaps he could be forgiven after his knock, ending a partnership of 44 with Dinesh Chandimal (24).
His departure signalled the beginning of the end and Dhammika Prasad was caught by Yasir at deep square leg for a first-ball duck after taking on Azhar Ali.
Chandimal then played across the line to Rahat Ali before Tharindu Kaushal added an unbeaten 17 late on to at least push the home side closer to the 300-mark.
