Intelligent bowling by the two off spinners Muttiah Muralidaran (3 for 29) and Aravinda de Silva (4 for 45) helped Sri Lanka to dismiss Pakistan for 249 in 48.5 overs in their Standard Bank one dayer here today. This is a day night game.
The Sri Lankan fielding left much to be desired with Jayasuriya and Pushpakumara dropping catches at vital moments. (if not for the efforts of Muralidaran and Aravinda de Silva who bowled with great accuracy the Pakisttani batsmen would have gone on a run spree.
When the Sri Lankans bat they will have to concentrate and go about their chase without taking unnecessary risks. They have the batsmen to take them to victory if they are to keep the tourney alive. All the frontline batsmen must put their heads down and bat sensibly.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first on a slowish wicket. It had rained in Bolond for two days and outfield too was on the slow side.
Pakistan had left out Moin Khan and brought in dasher Sahid Afridi. Sri Lanka as expected rested the injured Vaas and gave Sajeeva de Silva a game. The Sri Lankans had to win this game at all costs to keep their chances alive. The Pakistani openers were off to a flyer with Afridi lofting a six over mid wicket to signal his intentions. But at 31 he dollied a full toss from de Silva and was held by Dharmasena at mid off. Anwar and Ahmed sailed into the attack and their stand of 50 was made in 47 balls.
After adding 80 Anwar tried to sweep a Muralidaran delivery and lollied to Jayasuriya at short fine leg for a well played 53 with 6 fours made in 58 balls. At 141 Ul Haq went caught behind by Kaluwitharana off Muralidaran for 9. That was the wicket the Lankans really needed considering the fact that he bashed them in the previous game.
Pakistan lost Youhana and Mahmood without scoring Youhana went at 141 and at 142 Mahmood departed. Youhana was brilliantly stumped by Kaluwitharana off Muralidaran and Mahmood was maginficently taken by Mahanama at point. At 164 Ahmed was run out for 64 with 5 fours and a six. Latiff and Akram added exactly 50 and looked like taking them out of trouble when Latiff lofted Aravinda to Sajeewa for 36 with the score on 214. Akram who was dropped by Pushpakumara when he was on 2 made 22. He too went at the same score. Earlier Jayasuriya dropped Ahmed when he was on 21. Hussain was held by Mahanama at extra cover off de Silva at 240 for 10.