The coach of Pakistan A, Mudassar Nazar, and his Sri Lankan counterpart, Hemantha Devapriya, said they are looking forward to the third and the final unofficial Test, after the Second Test in Colombo ended in a draw yesterday. The First Test in Dambulla too ended in a draw. Galle will host the third and the final Test.
In the Second Test, Pakistan's delayed declaration came with the team on 312 for 8, setting Sri Lanka an imposing target of 290 in 70 overs. Many felt that the declaration came a bit too late, as the Lankans had to chase more than four runs an over.
But Mudassar Nasser says he had his reasons for delaying the declaration. "One of the main reasons why we batted on was that Irfan Fazil reported a stiff back last night. In the morning, I asked him how he felt and he said he was struggling so we didn't want to take a risk," reasoned Mudassar. "If he had been 100 per cent fit, I would have pushed our chances."
Fazil, who played a Test against Sri Lanka last year and is a promising bowler with a long run-up, bowled just four overs with a short run-up in Sri Lanka's second innings.
Though the target was a high one, Hemantha Devapriya said he remained positive for a while when the first innings century-maker Gunawardene was at the crease.
"We decided to be in the hunt and see how things were going in the first 15 to 20 overs, but unfortunately Avishka got out and the Pakistani bowlers also bowled really well," said Devapriya.
But after the dismissal of Gunawardene, Sri Lanka too batted slowly in the last two sessions, indicating that they were satisfied with a draw. "These are promotion games you know; if we tried to get there and lose about six wickets and if the game ended in a draw, it becomes unfair by the players who tried hard," reasoned the Lankan coach.
Though the game was a tame draw, the Pakistani coach was full of praise for Avishka Gunawardene's innings. "His hundred was a brilliant one. He looks a prime prospect."
Talking about the other players who impressed him, the Pakistani coach said: "Vandort also looks a fine player; I am confident he'll do well at international level.
"In the bowling department, the Sri Lankan skipper Samaraweera was outstanding. He bowls particularly well at the right-handers, and he bowls intelligently."
The former Pakistani opening batsman was also impressed with the Pakistani paceman Irfan Fazil who sustained an injury at the end of the game. "I thought he had a very good match. Although he got just one wicket, there were three dropped catches off his bowling. He puts in a lot of effort and he bowled excellently," said Mudassar. "I think he is ready for Test cricket. If you put him up he won't disappoint you."
On the other hand, Sri Lankan coach Devapriya refused to single out any player who impressed him. "No I don't want to single out any particular player, the series is still on. Few players are really coming out well; at the end of the series if we can pick three to four players who can proceed to the top grade, I'll be really happy."
While Sri Lanka have not finalised the composition of the team for the next game, at the time of writing, Pakistan have been haunted by injury worries. Shabir Ahmed, the most senior fast bowler, has already been ruled out of the Third Test, while Irfan Fazil didn't bowl in most of Sri Lanka's second innings.
© CricInfo Ltd.
| Teams | Pakistan, Sri Lanka. |
| Tours | Pakistan A in Sri Lanka |
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