Rawalpindi, March 1: Sri Lanka carved out a remarkable two-wicketvictory over Pakistan on an enthralling final day of the first Test totake a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at Pindi Cricket Stadiumhere on Wednesday
Farhana Ayaz02-Mar-2000Rawalpindi, March 1: Sri Lanka carved out a remarkable two-wicketvictory over Pakistan on an enthralling final day of the first Test totake a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at Pindi Cricket Stadiumhere on Wednesday.Romesh Kaluwitharana scored the winning runs in a stubborn ninthwicket partnership of 43 with an injured Arjuna Ranatunga when heedged Waqar Younis to the third man boundary to cap Sri Lanka’s fourthwin against Pakistan in 22 Tests.Kaluwitharana finished on an unbeaten 36 off 74 balls while thecourageous Ranatunga defied 94 balls to score 29 not out.The absorbing Test went down to the wire after a Sri Lankan victorylooked a mere formality with visiting side reaching tea at 143 forfour – 77 away from their target of 220 in the remaining 38 overs.But the first hour after the interval proved quite sensational.In the first over, Mahela Jayawardena without adding to his score of35 in a dramatic fashion. Yousuf Youhana, fielding at short-leg, helda neat catch off Saqlain Mushtaq but umpire Athar Zaidi did not givethe batsman out until he consulted his colleague Dave Orchard and TVumpire Siddique Khan. In the next over, Ranatunga, then batting oneight, was struck on the left thumb by a rising delivery fromWaqar. Writhing in agony, the former Sri Lankan skipper was forced toretire hurt at 146 for five.Chaminda Vaas, who batted with disdain while scoring 53 not out infirst knock, was needlessly run out in a terrible mix-up withKaluwitharana.Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Saeed Anwar’s ability to lead ahandicapped side – in the absence of strike bowler Wasim Akram and ahalf-fit Saqlain Mushtaq – was put through a severe examination onWednesday with only three bowlers at his command.However, Saeed manoeuvred the limited resources at his disposal quiteintelligently and the team backed him up with resilient spirit thatwas missing on the first three days of this Test.Pakistan continued to make inroads in the Sri Lankan ranks.Young all-rounder Abdur Razzaq, for the second time in the match, cameperilously close to achieve a hat trick when he claimed two wicketsoff successive deliveries. Wahajatullah Wasti brought off aspectacular catch in the slips to remove the left-handed Nuwan Zoysaand then a perfect yorker rattled the off stump of PramodyaWickremasinghe to reduce the tourists to 177 for eight.Wickremasinghe, who bagged a pair in the match, was replaced byRanatunga at the crease.Pakistan could have grabbed an unlikely victory had they held theircatches. Waqar failed to grab a Kaluwitharana mistimed shot off AbdurRazzaq at mid-on when Sri Lanka were 172 for six. Saeed failed to runout the same batsman with Sri Lanka still 11 runs away from victory.Earlier, SriLanka resumed their run chase at 11 for no loss werejolted by the fifth ball departure of Marvan Atapattu.A rampant Waqar disposed of Atapattu for the second time in the match,in an almost action replay of his first innings dismissal. Atapattuedged an outswinger to the right of first slip where Saqlain Mushtaqhung onto a brilliant two-handed catch.Next man Russel Arnold survived a very close leg before appeal firstball but umpire Athar Zaidi remained unconvinced. Arnold could haveperished had Shahid Afridi been able to pick the ball and throw withthe batsman stranded in the middle of the pitch.However, Arnold (6) survived only 31 minutes before a liftingWaqardelivery took the outer edge of his bat and Saqlain took another sharpcatch at first slip.Jayasuriya and the first innings’ century-makerAravindade Silva added 39 runs to carry the total to 73. But justbefore lunch, Abdur Razzaq had danger man Aravinda (21) flashing at awide ball and Moin Khan did the rest behind the stumps.Jayasuriya, who was well-set, and newbatsman Jayawardena survived totake Sri Lanka to 77 for three at lunch.The Sri Lankan captain and his deputy shared a fourth wicket standworth 43 runs during which Jayasuriya completed his first half centuryin seven Tests since taking over the national captaincy off 92 ballsin 165 minutes with six fours.However, shortly afterwards, Jayasuriya (56 off 105 balls in 191minutes) edged a late outswinger from Abdur Razzaq tofirst slip whereAamir Sohail took a splendid, two-handed catch, low to his right.Jayasuriya was the only wicket to fall in the second session.Overall, Sri Lanka’s victory their third against Pakistan inPakistan. On the last tour here in 1995-96, Sri Lanka came from behindto triumph 2-1 success.This was Pakistan’s second consecutive loss atthis ground, having lostby innings to and 99 runs to MarkTaylor’s Australians in October 1998.