SRI LANKA LOSE QUICK WICKETS

The 400 of Sri Lanka's innings came when Atapattu drove Arshad Khan for a single in the 129th over. Piling up such a huge score against Pakistan's renowned bowling was a big achievement for Sri Lanka.

Pakistan, however, got the second break-through when Abdur Razzaq struck again. Arnold snicked him in the hands of Moin Khan behind the stumps after scoring 24 runs. Sri Lanka was now 401 for 2.

Aravinda de Silva took the crease but could not stay for long. Attempting a shot, he was caught by Younis Khan at short mid-wicket off Arshad Khan for a duck. Sri Lanka lost the 3rd wicket at 402. Mahela Jayawardene joined Atapattu at the crease and returned to the pavilion after scoring only 2 runs. He was bowled by Arshad Khan, rendering Sri Lanka to 412 for 4.

Though Sri Lanka had played marvelously piling up an impressive score of over 400, the wickets had started falling. Pakistan picked up 3 wickets within a span of 4 overs. Arjuna Ranatunga who had been in good nick came in to bat. In the meantime Atapattu, having played the sheet anchor with 177 runs was dropped by Inzamam-ul-Haq in the slips off Abdur Razzaq. Ranatunga was, however, not that lucky to stay for long. In an attempt to sweep Arshad Khan, he got the top edge and was caught by Mushtaq Ahmed for 6. Sri Lanka lost the 5th wicket at 434.

Kumar Sangakarra took the crease and appeared giving a stand to Atapattu to complete his double hundred, that is left for tomorrow. The day's play ended with Sri Lanka at 449 for 5. Atapattu, who in partnership with Jayasuriya lifted Sri Lanka to the top remained not out with 199.

Though Sri Lanka deserves the credit for piling up a huge total and still remaining in the game, one cannot pardon Pakistan for dropping atleast half a dozen vital catches.

PAKISTAN GETS THE BREAK THROUGH AFTER A HARD EFFORT

Jayasuriya (160) and Atapattu (113) were going strong with every over. The 300 of Sri Lanka's innings came in 103 overs with Jayasuriya (172) and Atapattu (116), giving a befitting reply to Pakistan's big innings of 600 runs at Galle. The partnership between the two players become 7th in the ladder of "over 300 runs partnerships" in the history of cricket.

Continuing to spank the Pakistani bowlers, the pair piled up runs unhindered. Pakistan took the new ball after 112 overs entrusting its use to Abdur Razzaq and Waqar Younis. Having played a heroic innings of 187 Jayasuriya appeared heading for his double ton. The remaining 13 runs would be lucky or unlucky had to be seen. Sri Lanka was 334 for no loss at this stage.

Bad luck for Jayasuriya, he missed the double ton when he edged a moving ball from Abdur Razzaq and was brilliantly caught by Younis Khan in the slips for a marvelously scored 188. Sri Lanka atlast lost the 1st wicket at 335.

Russel Arnold took the crease and appeared facing the Pakistan bowling as easily as his senior partner. At tea Sri Lanka was 360 for 1 with Atapattu (139) well dug in at the crease and Arnold (13) trying to settle down.

PAKISTAN BOWLERS STRUGGLE TO DISLODGE OPENERS

Sri Lanka resumed the innings at the overnight score of 140 for no loss. The 150 runs partnership between the two openers reached in the 57th over when Jayasuriya flicked Waqar Younis for a four through the slips. In 60 overs Sri Lanka was 156 for no loss with Jayasuriya (95) anxiously waiting for his first century after the assumption of captaincy and Atapattu (51) well dug at the crease. He added a four to his total by driving Arshad Khan to mid-on boundary.

There came the moment of rejoicing for Jayasuriya when he hoisted his splendid ton by smashing Waqar Younis through gully for a four. He hit Waqar for another boundary on the next ball. This was Jayasuriya's 6th test century and the 2nd against Pakistan. The over from Waqar conceded 9 runs. The score board showing 170 for no loss meant a new 1st wicket partnership record for Sri Lanka.

Jayasuriya luckily survived a golden chance when Arshad Khan dropped him off his own ball. It was an easy flying catch, the product of a mistimed shot. The Pakistanis giving a lack luster performance, this was the third easy catch dropped by the fielders. After a couple of overs, he dropped Atapattu again off his own ball. It did not appear to be the Arshad Khan's day.

The two batsmen scoring freely now, brought 200 of Sri Lanka's innings in 73 overs. It came off when Jayasuriya swept Arshad Khan to square leg boundary. Continuing with his spree of shots, Jayasuriya delighted the crowd by hitting Arshad Khan over the mid wicket boundary for a grand six. Atapattu survived a chance again when he flicked Mushtaq Ahmed, the ball passing through the arms of Imran Nazir fielding at silly mid off. The partnership continued to advance on account of Pakistan's inept fielding.

The 5-man battery of Pakistan bowlers toiled hard since morning to dislodge the partnership but did not succeed. With every over the batsmen were strengthening their hold on the game. Apart from singles and twos they were scoring boundaries with impunity, punishing the speedsters and the spinners alike.

Marvan Atapattu hoisted his century in a grand style. He first lifted Mushtaq Ahmed over the square leg boundary for a prolific six followed by a straight drive for a four, completing his 100 in 235 balls. This being the day of dropped catches, Jayasuriya got another chance when he was dropped by Saeed Anwar at extra cover off the bowling of Mushtaq Ahmed. The two openers continued piling up runs and enlarging their partnership. At lunch Sri Lanka was 267 for no loss. Jayasuriya (148) and Atapattu (107) were going strong.

Date-stamped : 29 Jun2000 - 14:28