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Sri Lanka solid after Dilshan, Sangakkara hundreds
Saturday, 23 June 2012 - 10:58 AM SL Time
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Former captains Tillekeratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara scored centuries overcoming all threats posed by a well-balanced Pakistan attack to help the team reach 300 for two wickets on day one of the first Test between the countries here at the Galle International Stadium yesterday.
There was total application by the duo on a wicket that offered bounce for Pakistan s spinners and Sri Lanka s ambition to win their first series in three years got off to a perfect start thanks to them.
Pakistan were unlucky not to get one or probably two leg before wicket decisions in their favour and in the absence of Decision Review System toiled in the heat of Galle, but overall Sri Lanka s batsmen put up a thorough effort to give their side the edge.
Dilshan playing his last Test Match in Galle made it one to remember with his 13th century and the second against Pakistan. The opening wicket stand between him and Tharanga Paranavithana was worth 63 runs and ended when Saeed Ajmal lured Paranavithana out of his crease and wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal whipped the bails off to complete his 50th dismissal in Test cricket.
Dilshan reached his half-century off just 49 balls having smashed five fours and a six, but Pakistan tightened things up with better field placements and the runs dried up.
Dilshan reached his first century in 12 months by sweeping left arm spinner Abdur Rehman for four. The opener had not made a hundred since his record breaking 193 at Lord s 12 Tests ago.
His 124 run stand for the second wicket with Sangakkara ended when he was ruled out leg before wicket to Ajmal in the penultimate over before tea. His 101 came off 180 deliveries with 13 fours and a six.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene joined Sangakkara and the pair ensured the final session completely belonged to Sri Lanka with some attacking shots. Sangakkara reached his 29th Test hundred and the eighth against Pakistan when he pushed Saeed Ajmal to mid-off, sprinted and dived to complete his first century this year, equaling Aravidna de Silva s record for most centuries against Pakistan.
Sangakkara was unbeaten at stumps on 111 off 194 balls and had hit 13 fours and was involved in an unfinished 113 run stand for the third wicket with Jayaawardene. Sangakkara s average against Pakistan is now 84 and he has scored 1941 runs in 26 innings against them. Only India s Sunil Gavaskar (2089 in 41 innings) has scored more runs against Pakistan than the Sri Lankan
Jayawardene was unbeaten on 55 at stumps.
Saeed Ajmal was the only successful bowler for Pakistan accounting for both wickets to fall on a day dominated by the Sri Lankan batsmen. Having elected to bat first, the Sri Lankans were thrilled to post 300 for two at the end of day one and would be looking to bat two more sessions today to put pressure on Pakistan. Sri Lanka haven t won a Test series since beating New Zealand in August 2009.
Dilshan to quit Test cricket
Dashing Sri Lankan opener Tillekeratne Dilshan says that this will be his last Test match in Galle. The former captain says that he is likely to quit Test cricket before the end of this year. The two match Test series against New Zealand possibly could be Dilshan s last series in whites.
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