|
|
Paranavithana saves career and the Test for Sri Lanka
Wednesday, 11 July 2012 - 12:58 PM SL Time
 Share On Facebook
|
|
|
Sri Lanka s best Test cricket since those memorable days in Durban last year was displayed yesterday as the hosts did everything within their reach to record their first series win in three years with a superb batting display that enabled them to take a first innings lead of 111 runs on the third day of the final Test against Pakistan at Pallekele International Stadium.
By stumps, Sri Lanka had knocked off Taufeeq Umar and Pakistan were still trailing by 84 runs and the tourists chances of squaring the series were almost over as their coach Dav Whatmore admitted that his side had lost the initiative while Sri Lankan opener Tharanga Paranavithana believed that the hosts could go for a 2-0 series win.
While the big-hitting Thisara Perera helped Sri Lanka extend their lead hammering 75 runs off 86 balls with four fours and three sixes, it was opener Paranavithana who deserves credit for Sri Lanka s superlative display.
Paranavithana had not made a half-century in his last eight innings and had fallen for a duck on the flattest of surfaces in the second Test back in Colombo and the pressure was mounting on him after Dimuth Karunaratne had made an unbeaten 150 for Sri Lanka A in Durban.
Yesterday morning, Paranavithana was beaten on a few occasions, was hit on the helmet and an edge flew over the slips and in the next over chopped one close to the stumps living dangerously, but once he drove Umar Gul gloriously for four to get to the 30s, he looked a different kettle of fish not afraid to attack the loose balls. He reached his half-century by cutting Younis Khan for four.
From the overnight score of 44 for three, Sri Lanka recovered in the extended morning session as they didn t lose a wicket with 98 runs coming in the session.
Thilan Samaraweera was dropped on 49 by Younis Khan at second slip as Umar Gul s bad luck in the series continued. In Gul s next over Samaraweera drove him exquisitely for four to reach his half-century. The fourth wicket stand was worth 143 runs and it ended when Ajmal had Samaraweera adjudged leg before wicket for 73. He had hit nine four in his knock.
By the time Paranavithana dragged an Ajmal delivery on to his stumps, he had done his duty having taken Sri Lanka s total beyond 200 and more importantly saved his career.
The eighth wicket partnership between Thisara Perera and Nuwan Kulasekera was a new record for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in Tests and put the hosts on top. The pair added 84 runs with Kulasekara contributing with 33 runs.
Perera was dropped twice, first on 11 when Gul failed to hold on to a difficult return catch and then when he was on 22 Misbah-ul-Haq put down a chance at first slip to deny Gul a wicket.
Perera s dream run continued and Pakistan coach Whatmore admitted that everything the all-rounder touches turns into gold these days. He smashed 75 off 86 balls with four fours and three sixes, two of those big heaves off Saeed Ajmal over mid-wicket in successive balls before being dismissed last man to give Junaid Khan a five wicket haul.
|
|
|
|
Search All News and Discussions