SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
Kumar Sangakkara made 221 as Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 533-9 shortly before stumps,a lead of 82 runs over Pakistan’s total of 451, on day four of the first test against Pakistan on Saturday.
Sangakkara’s 10th double century put him just two behind Australian great Don Bradman’s 12 as Sri Lanka declared at 533 for nine wickets for an 82-run first innings lead, Pakistan were four for one wicket in their second innings at stumps, having lost opener Khurram Manzoor for three, Pakistan still trailing by 78 runs with nine wickets in hand.
After the hosts resumed in the morning on 252-2, Junaid Khan was handed the second new ball at the start of play and the pacer provided plenty of drama before Sangakkara and Mathews settled down to build their partnership, At the other end, Mahela Jayawardene, making his penultimate test appearance, got off the mark for the day with a streaky four off Junaid but was out the next ball when he was trapped lbw with his score on 59, Jayawardene’s dismissal ended a 113-run partnership with Sangakkara for the third wicket but was the only success for the visitors in a morning session that was extended to make up for lost time due to rain on Friday.
Mathews fell just before tea for the fifth time in the nineties, the last three of which have all been against Pakistan, and all 91s. But Sangakkara carried on after equaling Bradman for 18 scores of 150-plus and ensured Sri Lanka had a healthy lead before they declared to leave Pakistan’s tired batsmen 20 minutes to survive till stumps.
The day, however, belonged to Sangakkara who brought up his double century with a single off Ajmal, sparking off celebrations in the ground, Ajmal followed up the dismissal of Angelo Mathews (91) before the tea break with a further three cheap wickets as Sri Lanka slumped to 475-7, Ajmal, picked up four wickets.
Sri Lanka had almost the perfect finish to the day when Khurram Manzoor nicked Rangana Herath behind. After conceding 451 in the first innings, they kept Pakistan in the field for six sessions, and now have the chance to put the visiting batsmen under serious pressure on the final day.
pakistan.shafaqna.com
