Bowlers put Pakistan on front foot

03 July 2015 01:01

Pakistan's bowlers did a fine job to restrict Sri Lanka to 272 runs on the first day of their deciding Test in Pallekele.

With the three-match series locked at 1-1, Sri Lanka edged along to their total for the loss of eight wickets and would have been in deeper trouble had Dimuth Karunaratne not posted a brilliant 130.

The opener faced 230 balls and cracked 14 fours in an exciting knock which came to an end when he came down the pitch to Azhar Ali and was stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed.

After his innings, a 92-ball 46 from Upul Tharanga was the best Sri Lanka could offer, with the number three batsman one of four wickets picked up by Yasir Shah (four for 77).

Karunaratne lost opening partner Kaushal Silva for nine, edging Rahat Ali (two for 74) behind, before a stand of 91 with Tharanga. He perished, though, steering Yasir to the hands of Younus Khan at first slip.

Lahiru Thirimanne joined Karunaratne for a 27-run stand which ended when the former holed out to mid-off to give Yasir a second scalp and Angelo Mathews went in the spinner's next over in identical fashion for just three.

Jehen Mubarak came out to the middle and put on 67 with Karunaratne, reaching 25 before coming down the track to Shah and missing one, losing his wicket stumped.

Karunaratne went in the same way, although could be forgiven after his knock, ending a partnership of 44 with Dinesh Chandimal (24).

His departure signalled the beginning of the end and Dhammika Prasad was caught by Yasir at deep square leg for a first-ball duck after taking on Azhar Ali.

Chandimal then played across the line to Rahat Ali before Tharindu Kaushal added an unbeaten 17 late on to at least push the home side closer to the 300-mark.

Source: PA