LIVE – Pakistan v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758: 1st Test – lunch day 5 – Match Update
Sri Lanka had a positive morning session against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/United-Arab-Emirates-c3033 (UAE) on Saturday, October 22, 2011.
The tourists have now gained an overall lead of 50 runs in the match and still have five wickets remaining. The star of the show for the team was veteran middle-order batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779, who remained unbeaten 185 runs before the session was called
off.
Wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HAPW-Jayawardene-c1529 also offered tremendous support to Sangakkara and was rock solid in the middle. He was not out on 66 runs at lunch.
Pakistan’s first innings lead of 314 runs looked quite impressive and the opposition had only one option to try and play defensive cricket for more than two days.
Sri Lanka needed a solid effort from one of their best three batsmen Sangakkara, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691.
The latter two failed to make an impression and put the team under immense pressure. However, Sangakkara did not lose focus and batted with brilliance. He was a touch lucky, as a couple of catches went down when he was batting.
However, the star middle-order player made most of these chances and continued to hurt the Pakistan team badly. He will now be looking forward to completing a double century and continue his majestic knock.
Before start of play today, the former Sri Lankan captain had stated, “It would have been nice if I had I got it in the first innings but it was a tough fight and one of my better hundreds. But there is still work left and if we can get the first session
through we can put some pressure on Pakistan.”
The veteran batsman certainly lived up to his word and continued his resistance against the opposition. His aim will now be to bat out the second session of the day as well, which will ensure a draw.
On the other hand, Pakistan will be in desperate search of quick wickets in the post lunch session. The team still has a chance to bounce back, but will need an exceptional effort from any of their bowlers.
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