Date-stamped : 27 Sep95 - 18:22 Pakistan v Sri Lanka, TEST 3 Jinnah Stadium, Silakot, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 September 1995 ====> Prematch, 21 Sep 95 GIVE THE VICTORY CONTINUITY - Elmo Rodrigopulle The Sri Lankan cricketers must certainly be having that Mount Everest conquered feeling and justifiably so after felling the Pakistanis in Pakistan in the Second Test in Faisalabad by 42 runs. When the Lankans were outplayed early on in this game, indica- tions were that another humilating defeat was on the cards. But our cricketers are now not the slap bang, happy go lucky bashers. HISTORIC WIN They have been steeled in the true professional approach that is needed in the hard grind of test cricket and how they clawed themselves back into the game; dominated the final proceedings and finally came out victorious was best described by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunga in her congratulatory mes- sage to the cricketers when she said: `Please accept my warmest greetings on your splendid and his- toric victory in the 2nd test in Pakistan. The WHOLE COUNTRY IS PROUD OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENT`. The Sri Lankans showed their appreciation by lighting fire crackers and with the motorists honking their horns like mad in jubilation. CONTINUITY Now when the Lankans take the field in the final test begin- ning in Sialkot tomorrow they must try to build on that victory, giving it continuity and chalking up a series winning triumph. They have it in them to do it. What they have to do is to perform the basics correctly without getting ruffled and then victory could be theirs. One man who has been forgotten in this time of jubilation is our new national coach Dave Whatmore. Cricket Board chief Pun- chihewa however paid Whatmore the compliment he richly deserves when asked by the `Daily News` to comment on Sri Lanka`s victo- ry. OTHER IDEAS When Whatmore`s name was first mentioned, the pundits here showed their cricketing ignorance by rushing to belittle the new buy. But Whatmore who is the head cricket coach of the victorian institute of sports and who has proudly sported the baggy green Australian cap had other ideas. He had closely watched Sri Lanka cricket, realised that the talent is there in abundance and what they lacked is the professionalism, that is so very vital if pro- gress is to be made in Test cricket. With manager Duleep Mendis and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga he stressed on the cricketers the importance of professionalism. What they have finally achieved coupled with their natural talent is history now. DIVIDENDS What more can you expect from Whatmore? Cricket Board chief Punchihewa`s investment is really paying dividends. A cricketing axiom has it that a winning team must be given con- tinuity. If that rule is adhered to then that dazzling allrounder Sanath Jayasuriya will have to do the 12th man`s du- ties again. What with Mahanama struggling to get into form would it not be good to open with Jayasuriya, considering the fact that Jayasuriya is also a good allround fielder? Over to our selec- tors in Sialkot. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by Sudas (swanniar@ccshst01.cs.uoguelph.ca) ====> Day 1, more Tight attack pins Sri Lanka down - Qamar Ahmed First day of five: Sri Lanka 217-7 SRI LANKA struggled to 217 for seven on the first day of the de- cisive third Test at the Jinnah Stadium yesterday. On a seamer`s wicket of low bounce, runs did not come easily against a reorganised Pakistan attack who bowled a nagging length to keep the batsmen quiet. Sri Lanka, having won the toss, had lost both openers, Roshan Mahanama and Chandika Hathurusinghe, with only 36 on the board and when their key batsman, Aravinda de Silva, was caught in the gully off Rehman without scoring, Arjuna Ranatunga, the captain, and Asanka Gurusinha had to rebuild the innings. The pair put on 67 for the fourth wicket but were both dismissed in the second session. Ranatunga took a wild swipe at Aamir Sohail and was bowled for 24, and Gurusinha was beaten by a direct throw from Basit Ali after making 45 in 173 minutes. Basit Ali, who retired during the tour of Zimbabwe but later re- versed his decision, was included at the last minute after Saeed Anwar, the opening batsmen, withdrew with stomach problems. Things were looking bleak for the touring side at 118 for five, but Kumara Dharmasena was the man who held the innings together with an unbeaten 52. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) ====> Day 1, more Sri Lanka 217 for 7 on day one Dharmasena, Vaas help in recovery -- Ranjan Anandappa On a day dominated by the Pakistan bowlers, Sri Lanka reached a disappointing 217 for 7 at the end of the first day in their third and final cricket Test between Pakistan at the Jinnah Sta- dium Sialkot. Sri Lanka`s innings was mainly based on two brief partnerships firstly by Arjuna Ranatunga and Asanka Gurrusinha who added 68 runs for the fourth wicket and the best stand of the day was pro- vided by the 8th wicket pair of Kumara Dharmasena (52 n.o.) and left hander Chaminda Vaas (16 n.o.) who put on an invaluable 45 run stand. The pair added a fare amount of respectability to the Lankan score card bringing the score from 171 for 7 to 217 for 7 when bad light stopped play 4 overs short of the stipulated 90 overs for the day. Vaas and Dharmasena batted for 58 minutes engaging in their un- broken stand and Dharmasena reached his 50 off 153 balls with 3 fours. The pair will have to keep on batting and add many more runs as they did in the second test where they put on 68 for the 8th wicket which played a decisive role in Sri Lanka winning the Test. Pakistan made four changes for the decisive Test. Paceman Aamir Nazir was brought in for Wasim Akram and Ataur Rehamn came back to the side in place of Saqlain Mushtaq. Zahid Fazal was prefered to Ijaz Ahmed (junior) who had failed badly in both Tests. The disheartening news for the Pakistanis was when Saeed Anwer declared himself unfit just before the match and Basit Ali was brought in his place. Sri Lanka took the field with the same match winning team. Ramiz Raja the Pakistan skipper opted for a four pronged pace at- tack and the pacemen answered his call well when Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat. Non of the Sri Lankan batsmen were able to dominate the pace at- tack which was used sparingly in short spells. Aamir Sohail was the sole spinner in the side. With Sri Lanka 3 wickets down for just 41 runs, Arjuna Ranatun- ga joined by Gurusinha was just about to stage one of their rescue acts. After Ranatunga and Gurusinha adding 68 runs for the fourth wicket Ranatun- ga going to force Sohail off the back foot was beaten and bowled for 24. None of the Sri Lankan batsman really tried to build up a big innings. Gurusinha who tried to atone for his failures in the previous matches tried to consolidate his inning after being dropped by Aquib Javed in the covers off Ata ur Rehaman. Gurusinha trying to get maximum out of the lapse batted excep- tionally well for 175 minutes facing 109 balls with five fours and a five to score 46. His innings came to an end while taking a run with Hashan Tillekeratne, Gurusinha just could not beat Basit Ali`s direct throw which hit the stumps. However Sri Lanka`s top order batsmen once again gave an unimpressive performance. Mahanama hooked Aquib to be caught at square leg by Muhammed Akram after scoring 21 and putting on 33 runs for the first wicket with Hathurusinghe. Thereafter Hathurusinghe hung his bat out to a Aamir Nazir delivery and was caught at slips by Inzamam for 12. Sri Lanka`s hopes of reaching a big first in- nings score quickly vanished when Aravinda de Silva drove the second ball he faced and Shoaib Mohammed in the gully took a straight forward catch and De Silva went without scoring. Over 12,000 witnessed the opening day of the match. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) ====> Day 2, 23 Sep 95 Sri Lanka raise World Cup fears as Pakistan struggle Final Test marred by off-field wrangling says Qamar Ahmed PAKISTAN cricket is in a mess and the ability of Cricket Board officials to organise the forthcoming World Cup is being ques- tioned every day by the country`s newspaper columnists. The decision to switch the first of the scheduled three one-day internationals from Gujranwala to Sialkot is one example and the decision has caused anger in the touring Sri Lankan camp. The dispute is threatening to mar the decisive third Test at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, where Pakistan yesterday struggled to 199 for eight on the second day in reply to the tourists` 232. Pakistan Cricket Board officials say the ground in Gujranwala, where Pakistan are to play United Arab Emirates in the World Cup, is not ready. The Sri Lankans, who, like the Pakistanis, are staying in derel- ict accommodation in the city, have officially objected to the decision to switch the one-day game on Sept 29. "We would prefer to play two matches at Faisalabad or Rawalpindi," said manager Duleep Mendis. Administratively, the present series is being played in chaotic conditions. The PCB, like in 1982 against India, have sold the three Tests and the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka to a private contractor for a huge sum of money. The contractors, in turn, are not bothered about the comfort of players, the crowd or media. Their main concern is to please the local bureaucrats and the police and extract money from the ad- vertisers to recover what they paid to the PCB. And, of course, to make a profit. The tourists` fears about the newly laid square in Sialkot are justified - the ball has kept low from the first day of this Test. The Sri Lankans, resuming on 216 for seven, added just 16 runs yesterday with Kumara Dharmasena, 52 overnight, remaining un- beaten on 62, his highest Test score. In reply, Pakistan were quickly in trouble on a wicket of uneven bounce. From 45 for one at lunch they were reduced to 130 for five at tea, with Muttiah Muralitharan picking up three wickets. Opener Aamir Sohail made 48 with six fours before being bowled by Dharmasena, while none of the other Pakistani batsmen made 30. Moin Khan and Zahid Fazal put on 51 runs for the sixth wicket to improve the situation before bad light stopped play. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 2, more Sri Lanka all out for 232. Wicket has uneven bounce Muralitheran restricts Pakistan to 199/8 wkts - Ranjan Anandappa Sri Lanka who were restricted to 232 in their first innings, re- duced Pakistan to 199 for 8 wickets thus placing the Test in an intriguing position at the end of the second day at the Mohammed Ali Jinnah Stadium here. Sri Lanka, who were 216 for 7 overnight were all out for 232 off 6.3 overs in just over half an hour, adding 16 runs more to their overnight score. The Sri Lankans score of reaching a substantial one faded away when Chaminda Vaas who batted well on the previous day with Dhar- masena, was bowled off the second ball of the day when Aquib Javed shattered his stumps, but Dharmasena displaying his con- sistency as a reliable middle order batsman went on to record his highest score in Test cricket with a defiant knock of 62 not out with 4 boundaries and facing 135 deliveries. He was unbeaten on 52 with Vaas who was on 16. Muttiah Muralitheran, the man of the match in the second Test where Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 42 runs will be the bowler who could spell danger to the Pakistanis. On a wicket which had uneven bounce and occasionally keeping low, Muralitheran looks set to create enough problems for the Pakistan batsmen. He has already taken the valuable wickets of Ramiz Raja, Shoaib Mohammed and Basit Ali after a considerable lay off from cricket all lbw the decisions given by Pakistan umpire Shakil Khan. The Sri Lankans after scoring a moderate 232, hit-back superbly when opener Aamir Sohail and Shoiab Mohammed were just ce- menting the Pakistan innings with a 39-run stand when Muralithe- ran struck in his second over trapping Shoaib lbw for only 8 runs. Left-hander Aamir Sohail, still looking for a substantial score in the series was approaching his 50. He swung Dharmasena twice for four off consecutive deliveries but Dharmasena had him beaten and bowled for 48. Sohail faced 77 deliveries and was at the wicket for 105 minutes stroking six boun- daries. All Sri Lankan bowlers did their part exceptionally well and troubled the batsmen time and again. Wickremasinghe after an inspired spell of medium pace bowling, bowled Inzamam-ul-Haq off his pads to get rid of the most dangerous looking Pakistan batsman after he had scored 21. Inzamam, who had been struck on the head by a Wickremasinghe delivery in the first Test was not fully fit when he played in the second Test. Pakistan who were 45 for 1 at lunch off 16 overs, promptly stumbled to 130 for 5 wickets at the tea interval. They had lost 4 wickets for 85 runs. Reliable Moin Khan and Zahid Fazal gave some respectibility to the Pakistan score with a very effective 6th wicket stand of 53 runs where Moin`s contri- bution was 25. Zahid rendered valuable support to Moin by scoring 23 before Zahid was stumped by Dunusinghe off Aravinda de Silva and Moin caught behind off Wickremasinghe for 25. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 3, 24 Sep 95 Sri Lankans in control - Qamar Ahmed Third day of five: Pakistan (214) trail Sir Lanka (232 & 177-4) by 195 runs SRI LANKA, with a second-innings lead of 195 over Pakistan, were in a commanding position at the end of the third day`s play in the decisive third and final Test at the Jinnah Stadium. When bad light ended the day`s play with three overs not bowled, Sri Lanka had scored 177 for the loss of four wickets to add to a first-innings lead of 18 after they had bowled Pakistan out for 214 in their first innings. They conceded only 15 runs in the morning before claiming Pakistan`s last two wickets within 25 minutes of play. Aqib Javed was out to Kumara Dharmasena and Muttiah Muralitharan bowled Mohammad Akram to finish with four for 72. The tourists` psychological advantage was enhanced by a fourth- wicket partnership between Chandika Hathurusinghe and Arjuna Ranatunga, the captain, who put on 78 to frustrate Pakistan. Sri Lanka had lost three wickets between lunch and tea with 97 runs scored, including the prized wicket of Arvinda De Silva who, facing a pair, managed only eight runs before being leg before to Amir Nazir. Hathurusinghe, who was later joined by Ranatunga, batted with as much authority as he did in the previous two Tests to reach his third half-century in the series. Their 78-run partnership ended when Aqib had Hathurusinghe caught at the wicket by Moin Khan for 73. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 3, more Third Cricket Test: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Ranjan Anandappa reporting from Pakistan Opener Chandika Haturusinghe scored his third consecutive half century (73) while Sri Lanka obtained an overall lead of 195 runs with 6 wickets in hand when they were 177 for 4 wickets in their second innings on day three in the third and final cricket test against Pakistan at the Jinnah Stadium Sialkot. In reply to Sri Lanka`s 232 in their first innings, Pakistan who were 199 for 8 overnight were all out for 214 facing just 5.3 overs in the morning. Aquib Javed and Aamir Nazir hit boundaries each before Aquib was caught behind by Dunusinghe for 19 and Mu- ralitheran had Muhammed Akram bowled in the very first over first ball in the morning to give the off spinner his fourth wicket in the innings. Sri Lanka went in for the second time with a lead of 18 runs. Openers Mahanama and Haturusinghe gave a fairly good start for the Lankans putting on 37 runs for the first wicket before Maha- nama looking for a big score fell leg before wicket to Aquib Javed when on 20. Gurusinha too went cheaply for 18 and Aravinda de Silva after scoring a `duck` in the first innings was adjudged leg before wicket after scoring only 8 runs. The consistent Hathurusinghe joined by skipper Ranatunga batted sensibly to add 78 runs for the fourth wicket. Sri Lanka would have been in a spot of bother if Aamir Nazir had taken a return catch offered by Hathurusinghe when he was on 36. However Pakis- tan got the wicket that they wanted most when Aamir Nazir wrapped one on Aravinda`s pads and umpire Shakil Khan ruled him out. The stand between Ranatunga and Hathurusinghe realised 78 runs was compiled in 149 minutes when Hathurusinghe was out just before the close caught behind. He kept the Sri Lankan innings together by occupying the crease for 353 minutes facing 224 deliveries and reaching the boundary seven times. With the exit of Hathurusinghe, wicket keeper Chamara Dunusinghe came in as night watchman when play was called off due to bad light with 5 overs still to be bowled. If Sri Lanka could obtain a lead of anything over 275 to 300 Pakistan will find themselves in an awkward situation as the pitch is already showing signs of misbehaving. The Pakistan bowling attack comprising four medium pacers and without a front line spinner lacked the penetrative qualities to break the backbone of the Sri Lanka batting. They missed the services of Saqlain Mushtaq who would have been the Muralitheran for Pakistan Saqlain was omitted from the side at the last moment preference to a medium paceman. An even contest looks in prospect with still two days to go. Meanwhile Dulip Samaraweera and Jayantha Silva flew back to Colombo last night (Sunday) and their replacements Ruwan Kalpage and Eric Upashantha are expected to arrive in time for the one day series which will begin on Septeember 29th. Chamara Dunusinghe the wicketkeeper will fly back to Sri Lanka after the test match and Romesh Kaluvitharana will take his place. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 4, 25 Sep 95 Vaas gives Sri Lanka strong scent of victory - Qamar Ahmed AT THE close of play on the fourth day Sri Lanka were well poised to win the third and final Test and complete their first series victory against Pakistan. Having set Pakistan 357 runs to win, they had reduced them to 99 for six in their second innings when bad light stopped play 11.2 overs early. Sri Lanka declared at 338 for nine, 15 minutes before tea, and then left-arm medium-pacer Chaminda Vaas tore into Pakistan, fin- ishing the day with four for 16 from 12 overs. After Aamir Sohail was caught off Pramodya Wickeramasinghe in the fifth over, Vaas, from the first and third deliveries of his third over, dismissed Shoaib Mohammad and Inzamam-ul-Haq. All three wickets fell with Pakistan on seven runs. Six runs later captain Ramiz Raja was gone and Zahid Fazal followed to leave Pakistan 15 for five. Vaas had taken three wickets in 26 deliveries. Luckily for Pakistan, their wicketkeeper, Moin Khan, saved their embarrassment with an unbeaten 46 as he shared a 64-run stand with Basit Ali for the sixth wicket. Basit was the sixth man out when he mistimed a hook off Vaas and was caught by Kumara Dharmasena at short fine leg. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 4, more Sri Lanka on the path to victory in final test against Pakistan. -- Ranjan Anandappa Monday. Sensational bursts of pace bowling by left armer Chaminda Vaas (4 for 16) and Pramodya Wickremasinghe (2 for 26) set Sri Lanka on the path to victory when they sent Pakistan staggering to 99 for 6 on the fourth day of the decisive third and final test at the Jinnah Stadium here in Sialkot. Pakistan were set a victory target of 357 in precisely four sessions and gave one of their worst batting displays and an ignominious defeat seems inevitable. The big Sialkot crowd who were enjoying a local holiday were dismayed when Vaas and Wickremasinghe bowled with blistering pace and constant hostility which never gave any respite to the Pakistan batsmen. Within the space of 26 balls Pakistan lost three of their top batsmen to Vaas and Wickremasinghe. Wickremasinghe sent Sohail caught by Hathurusinghe bat pad with the score only 7 and at the same total Vaas removed Shoaib Mohammed spectacularly caught and bowled in the first ball of his third over and Mahanama took a good catch to send back Inzamam- Ul-Haq who looked one of the Pakistan batsmen capable of saving their blushes for nought in the fifth ball of the same over. The worst was yet to come. Vaas once again continued the carnage sending back Pakistan`s captain Ramiz Raja who would have batted probably under terrific pressure. Raja edged one to the slips for Mahanama to take his second catch off Wickremasinghe and Pakistan`s scoreboard looked a ragged 15 for 5, when Gurusinha took a catch a silly mid off to dismiss Fazal off Vaas. Basit Ali and Moin Khan provided entertainment to the dismayed crowd with a 64-run stand for the sixth wicket with Basit`s con- tribution being 27. Moin Khan`s fighting qualities gave him an unbeaten 46 with 6 fours off 72 deliveries. Pakistan succumbed to nerves rather than to their ability. Fac- ing a Sri Lankan attack which has im- proved by heaps and bounds and chasing a target of over 350 on the last day on a deteriorating pitch is no easy task. When Sri Lanka resumed their innings at 177 for 4 Pakistan took the second new ball. But their pacemen failed to impress while Arjuna Ranatunga took control of the situation. He added 33 runs for the fifth wicket with night watchman Dunusinghe. With the exit of Dunusinghe who was bowled through sheer pace by Muhammed Akram who was the most impressive of the Pak- istan bowlers (3 for 39). Ranatunga along with Tillekeratne (50) with 3 fours facing 98 deliveries added a further 59 runs for the sixth wicket. Ranatunga on 87 slashed one off Muhammed Akram and In- zamam took a fine diving catch in the slips. Thereafter Vaas who has displayed his allrounder capabili- ties dug in with Tillekeratne to pro- duce another valuable stand of 60 for the 8th wicket when Vaas was finally run out off a third umpires decision when the de- claration came 20 minutes prior to the tea interval. Ranatunga had five fours in his innings which lasted for 186 minutes and faxed 127 deliveries. The last time Pakistan lost a series in Pakistan was against the West Indies under Clive Lloyd in 1980-`81. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 5, 26 Sep 95 Sri Lanka wrap up Pakistan surprise - Qamar Ahmed SRI LANKA gained an emphatic 144-run victory in the decisive third and final Test against Pakistan at the Jinnah Stadium to win the series 2-1. This, their first series win in Pakistan and only their second overseas, gave them the distinction of being the third team this century besides South Africa and Pakistan to win a three-match series after having started with a defeat. In the first Test in Peshawar, Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 40 runs, but then they bounced back in the second Test at Faisalabad to win by 42 runs. Their win in the final Test at Sialkot was achieved 48 minutes after lunch on the final day, when Pakistan in their second in- nings were bowled out for 212. Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka`s captain, who was declared man of the match for his gritty 87 in the second innings, described the performance of his team as historic and memorable. "For us it is a historic day to beat a top Test-playing nation like Pakistan. It was a team effort and everyone contributed," he said. "Chaminda Vaas and our spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumara Dharmasena bowled superbly in all the matches, and our batsmen got runs in the last two Tests." Pakistan`s first defeat in a home series since 1980-81 - Clive Lloyd`s West Indies side beat them 1-0 in a four-match series - has come at a time when Pakistan are to embark on an important tour of Australia next month. Mushtaq Mohammad, Pakistan`s cricket manager, lamented the de- feat, but said he hoped that, with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis back in the team, Pakistan would be a different proposition. He said: "We are disappointed that our batsmen let us down, but we have the capacity to regroup ourselves, which we will before the team goes to Australia. Sri Lanka thoroughly deserved their victory." Pakistan`s only consolation in yesterday`s embarrassing defeat was the performance of their wicketkeeper Moin Khan, who scored a gutsy unbeaten 117, his second century in 16 Tests and his highest score. He had come in at the fall of the fifth wicket on the fourth day, with the score only 15, and he was on 52 when the seventh wicket, Aqib Javed, fell to a throw from Aravinda De Silva on the final morning after Pakistan had resumed on 99 for six. Moin, moving from his overnight 46 to a 75-ball fifty, kept the strike to reach his century with 11 fours and two sixes, both off Muralitharan, having batted for 233 minutes. Moin delayed Pakistan`s demise, but he could not stop the inevit- able. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 5, more SRI LANKA ZINDABAD - Ranjan Anandappa Sri Lanka cricket regained some pride when they beat Pakistan by 144 runs, but not before a fighting innings of 117 n.o. by former Pakistan wicket keeper Moin Khan who denied an early Lankan win and kept them till well after the lunch interval on the final day of he third and final test match at Jinnah Stadium Sialkot. Moin a fighter to the core who nearly deprived Sri Lanka of their win in Faisalabad with a great innings of 50 in the second in- nings of the second test put his other batsmen to shame. He strode to the wicket when his side was in distress at l5 for 5 and batted for 253 minutes facing 165 balls clobbering Muralith- eran for two sixes and reaching the boundary on 11 occasions in reaching his 100 at the stroke of lunch. MOIN DROPPED However, Moin also had a great deal of luck with him. Before he could have reached double figures on the evening of the fourth day, Mahanama who took two brilliant catches dropped him in the slips. His final unbeaten 117 had 13 fours, 2 sixes off 208 balls. When Pakistan began their innings of 99 for 6 overnight it seemed as is it was just a matter of time for the curtain to come down. But neither Vaas nor Muralitheran were able to get the break- through in the morning. The only success that Sri Lanka had was when Aquib Javed was given run out when Pakistani umpire Shakil Khan referred to the third umpire for the TV replay. Moin Khan was given valuable support by Ata-ur-Rehman and Muhamed Akram. From his overnight 46 Moin steadily advanced towards his century in the company of the tail-enders. Moin played a truly magnificent innings bringing Pakistan`s score towards some respectability. CONFIDENCE Moin Khan and Aamir Nazir batted with growing confidence to add 65 runs for the last wicket which broke the previous highest stand for the last wicket between Rashid Khan and Tauseef Ahamed [48] in 1982 in Faisalabad in Sri Lanka`s first ever test series. Moin`s and Nazir`s act of defiance lasted for 78 minutes and Aamir Nazir`s contribution was 11. He was finally caught by Til- lekeratne at short leg off Aravinda de Silva. Pramodya Wickremasinghe took two more wickets in the morning to take his tally of 4 wickets along with Vaas who bowled without luck today though adding to his 4 wickets tally yesterday. OUTPLAYED Mushtaq Mohammad the Pakistan manager said that Sri Lanka had outplayed Pakistan in all departments of the game. "After losing the first test by an innings Sri Lanka really came back with determination and all credit should go to them," said Mushtaq. Mushtaq further said that Pakistan`s batting was their failure. In five games we have topped the 400 run mark only once. And none of our players were able to get a hundred." he said. Mushtaq was also highly impressed with the medium pace attack of Vaas and Wickremasinghe. Vaas is a bowler with great potential and Wickremasinghe has improved overnight. He was also disappoin- ted over the Test pitch which was prepared. ``We became allies on our own wickets``, concluded Mushtaq. Dulip Mendis the Sri Lankan manager was also full of praise of the Sri Lankan team. GREAT TEAM EFFORT ``Once again it was a great team effort. Losing the first Test by an innings within three and a half days, and winning the remaining two Tests and clinching the rubber is a great achieve- ment specially in Pakistan``, was Mendis`s view. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 5, more Winning a Test series in Pakistan Dream comes true for Sri Lanka by ELMO RODRIGOPULLE The Sri Lankan cricketers achieved one of their cherished dreams when they beat the Pakistanis by 144 runs in the third and final cricket test in Sialkot, just after lunch on the final day, yes- terday to win the test series by 2 matches to one. Sri Lanka who lost the first test by an innings, rallied and fought back magnificently to win the remaining two tests by 42 and 144 runs. This is Sri Lankas first ever test series victory against Pakis- tan and it is all the more creditable because it was achieved in Pakistan and against all odds. Sri Lanka lost the run up warm up game and then the first test in similar fashion by innings and well inside the distance. It re- quired a superhuman feat to stave off further defeat leave alone winning. What followed with the Sri Lankan`s winning the remaining two tests was something from Ripley`s believe it or not. They did the Pakistanis in to square the series and then rubbed it in convinc- ing fashion by battering the Pakistan is by a big margin of 144 runs in the final Test. In any game, the greatness of a team is judged by its ability to fight back when the chips are down and everyone is "blaming it on you." With practice, more practice, team meetings the shortcomings were ironed out and what one saw of the Sri Lankan teams that took the field after the first test debacle was a rejuvenated one, putting back the defeat as a bad dream and striving for victory, because in today`s highly competitive and commercialised world of test cricket, loser`s are outcasts. Sri Lanka`s first innings score of 223 did not look a match win- ning one. But if their batsmen failed, the bowlers and the fielders fought back to restrict Pakistan to 214. Batting a second time, the batsmen continued the good work of their bowlers and fielders and amassed a massive 338 for nine declared leaving Pakistan 357 for victory on a wicket that was continuing to deteriorate and proving a nightmare to the batsmen. The Sri Lankan pacemen Chaminda Vaas and Pramodya Wickremasinghe bowled at a frightening pace and swinging and cutting the ball both ways, sliced through the early batting to have the Pakistanis groggy at 99 for six, after being on the ropes at 15 for five. On the final day a heroic century from the Pakistani wicket keeper batsmen only went to delay the inevitable before off spinner and partnership breaker Aravinda de Silva had last man Amir Nazir caught off bat and pad by Tillekeratne to signal the end of the road for the Pakistanis by 144 runs. Well done Arjuna Ranatunga and the boys. Maintaining the winning trend is what matters. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 5, more Sri Lankans second to none.. - ELMO RODRIGOPULLE `Give the victory continuity`. That was our headline on the eve of the final test after Sri Lanka`s historic Second Test victory over Pakistan in Faisalabad. We also said that they must try to build on that victory, giving it continuity and chalking up a series winning triumph. They have it in them to do it. What they have to do is to perform the basics correctly without getting ruffled and then victory could be theirs. The Sri Lankan cricketers led by that master tactician Arjuna Ranatunga who can hold his own against the best in the world, have done just as we expected and in dumping the Pakistanis in their own country, have underlined that we are second to none in the highly competitive cauldron of test cricket. It was a dream come true. REJOICING The whole country no doubt is rejoicing in this triumph. This is the first time that Sri Lanka has won a series in Pakistan. This was something that seemed unthinkable and impossible when we were admitted as full members of the International Cricket Conference. Every test playing nation trains and plays like mad, because the bottom line is to savour the joys of a test or a series triumph in either Pakistan or India. Winning a test or a series in ei- ther of these countries would mean to have that born again feel- ing. THAT DREAM The Sri Lankan cricketers must certainly be having that feeling and in bringing honour to the game, the country and the adminis- tration, the cricketers are setting the scene to make that dream of Cricket Board President Ana Punchihewa to make Sri Lanka the best cricket playing nation by the year 2000 a reality. The victory has also cocked a snook at the detractors who scoffed at Punchihewa`s dream. Punchihewa is a man of steel and says he has no time for the critics He was given a mandate to do a job of work and that he will do to the best of his ability and stretch even more to make Sri Lan- ka the best cricketing nation by the year 2000. In this Third Test Sri Lanka dominated from the first ball to the last. As they did in the Second Test they took the field with that second to none feeling and once they had the Pakistani by the jugular, never let go till they well and truly stuffed Ramiz Raja`s helpless Pakistanis. UNPLEASANTNESS To the critics who tried to imagine and create unpleasantness among the team before they left and who continued their bar- rage even after the team left and to those who try to belittle these victories saying that Pakistanis are minus some of their top notchers, these victories must certainly be galling. Let these critics learn to be more patriotic the next time. Everyone played their part to perfection in this victory. Spe- cial mention must be made of skipper Ranatunga, Hathurusinghe, Muralitheran, Vaas, Tillekeratne, Dharmasena and Wickremasinghe for the vital roles they played. ALL CYLINDERS When the Lankans took the field in the second innings, the pace- men Wickremasinghe and Vaas fired all cylinders. According to reports it was hostile pace and swing bowling looking menacing like only the West Indies could put on show. The pacies were backed by some match winning close infielding. We say well done to the entire party. They certainly deserve the gratitude of the whole country. To those in glass houses and who should not throw balls, those who went round with a mock air ticket, collected funds saying they too would be in the swim of things, but later dogged and pocketed the money much to the chagrin of the parents who con- tributed lavishly must also belong to this category. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 5, more Beating Pakistan at home beyond all expectations- Fernando BY SA`ADI THAWFEEQ "To beat Pakistan at home is beyond all expectations. It is the high point of Sri Lanka`s cricket so far,`` said Ranjit Fernando, a former Sri Lanka cricketer and manager, on Sri Lanka`s 2-1 series victory over Pakistan at Sialkot yesterday. "We have been improving step by step from the Zimbabwe tour. We broke the ice in New Zealand. The real turning point was when Sri Lanka came from behind to beat Pakistan after losing the first test by an innings,`` said Fernando who managed the last Sri Lan- ka team to Pakistan four years ago. TREMENDOUS On that occasion, Sri Lanka led by Aravinda de Silva lost the 3- Test series 1-0 (2 drawn) after putting up a tremendous fight in the deciding final Test. Fernando rated the performances of the present team as far better than the one he took to Pakistan in 1991. He said that the presence of Aravinda de Silva from the second Test onwards brought about a professional outlook to the Sri Lan- ka team. "His experience in England had a great impact on the series. He scored an important century in the second Test and was respon- sible yeterday for a run out and the last wicket. He is always capable of doing something. His presence gave the captain Arjuna Ranatunga a shoulder to lean on,`` said Fernando. FULL SEASON De Silva who saw out a full season with English county Kent, joined the team after missing the first Test at Peshawar which Sri Lanka lost by an innings inside four days. "One of the important factors is that there is a competition now for all the places in the Sri Lanka team. There are no passengers in the side,`` said Fernando. "Our batting line up would rank with the best in the world and we now have a bowling attack which is capable of bowling sides out twice,`` he said. "The series against Pakistan has proved a point. Sri Lanka must be given more than one Test in a series by any country they play,`` said Fernando. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Congratulatory messages for winning Lankan team. PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES President Chandrika Kumaratunga in a message of congratulations to the manager, captain and members of the Sri Lankan cricket team on their magnificent and historic victory over Pakistan in the 3rd and the final test in Pakistan states: I am glad and delighted at this golden moment of Sri Lankan test cricket that you have performed extremely well with hard work and dedication to bring great honour to our country beating Pakistan in the 3rd and the final test thus creating history of winning a test series in Pakistan. May this be an inspiration to all sportsmen for better achieve- ment to place Sri Lanka in the world`s sports map. FROM S. B. DISSANAYAKE Mr. S. B. Dissanayake, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Rur- al Development has sent the following congratulatory message to the Manager of the Sri Lanka cricket team. Please accept my congratulations for the historic victory of the Sri Lanka team at the current tournament against Pakistan. You have brought great honour to Sri Lanka by winning these Test matches and the series in foreign soul. I admire your excellent performance against a formidable side like Pakistan which has very high international recognition. I wish all the members of the team good luck. FROM CB PRESIDENT From Ana Punchihewa, President of the Cricket Board to Dulip, Dav, Arjuna and the boys, Let me join the rest of Sri Lanka in congratulating you and your boys for beating Pakistan, who are classified as one of the top Test playing nations in the world especially on their own back- yard. When a country completes two series wins away from home, it clearly depicts that it has reached maturity to be among the best in the world. The last country to beat Pakistan at home were the West Indies when they did so under Clive Lloyd way back in 1980/81, and after 15 long years you and your boys have brought glory to us by com- pleting this rare feat. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu)