Abdullah’s ton puts Pakistan in strong position
The promising right hand opener Abdullah Shafique made an unbeaten knock of 112 in 239 balls with 5 fours and a six as Pakistan fought back to chase the 342 runs target while Sri Lanka bowlers had tough day with getting only three wickets at the fourth day of the first test played at Galle International cricket stadium yesterday.
This match going to be very competitive and wicket is changing day by day and two teams are battle it out to gain the decision on the final day today. Sri Lanka were all out for 337 in their second innings setting up a 342 runs target for Pakistan to win. Dinesh Chandimal was very unlucky finished the innings with an unbeaten 94 in 139 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes and his batting form was terrific thought the Galle Test matches. Meanwhile Pakistan leg spinner Mohammad Nawaz finished his best bowling figures of 5 for 88 while senior leggie Yasir Shah ended with 3 for 122.
Pakistan came to the middle with a 342 runs target but their openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam- Ul – Haq (35) made a solid start with adding 85 runs opening stand to get good momentum from the start. Abdullah the 22 year old right hander created history to scored highest runs during first six matches (passed the Javed Miandad first six test match score)with a grand style while scoring his unbeaten knock and he will continue today to chase this winning target. Skipper Babar Azam who scored a fighting century in the first innings once again made a superb knock of 55 in 124 balls with 4 fours and a six finally bowled by Prabath Jayasuriya which was the last wicket of the day while opener Abdullah was remain on 119 and wicket keeper Mohammed Rizwan was not out 7 at the wicket. Pakistan are fighting to gain victory with a record chasing target and another 120 runs to get with seven wickets in hand.
Sri Lankan leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya finished the day 2 for 89 in 35 overs spell while off spinner Ramesh Mendis ended with 1 for 76 in 26 overs.
Sri Lankan spin specialist coach Piyal Wijetunga said the wicket went on flat and nothing was happen yesterday while they were bowling wicket was more turn and spin and the behaviour of wicket is very unusual up to date. The wicket keeper Niroshan Dikwella missed few changes but it could happen especially this type of turning Galle wicket but that was not excuse, said Wijetunga the former National spinner .
“I don’t think we select wrong spin combination for this match and Maheesh Theekshana could not name as off spinner. He can bowl with having X factor. He always put more pressure from the one end and opposite end spinner can get wickets. Actually we have very young inexperienced spin department compare to Pakistan spinners. Yasir Shah the 36 year old leggie having more experience but I never say that he is bowling better then our spinners. I don’t think we could have use experienced spinners than the young spinners and that’s why Wellalage had to sit on bench. If we could use younger bowlers like Wellalage early his career some times can end unexpectedly. We knew that type of spinners limited to one and only Test in their career, said Piyal Wijetunga.
“We should try out to get two more quick wickets today early session and hope our bowlers can do it for the favour of our side to gain victory today,” said spin specialist coach Piyal Wijetunga.