Good chance to reflect on Lanka’s performances
The three-match Test series, which begins on December 31 in the desert sands, provides a good opportunity to reflect on the last two series between Test-starved Sri Lanka and the comparatively busier Pakistan.
Two players, one on either side, sparkled above all else. Kumar Sangakkara accumulated 1006 runs (490 and 516) in the six Tests.
Kumar Sangakkara
Saeed Ajmal, the mesmerising off spinner, winkled out 33 batsmen in the same period (15 and 18). Five man-of-the-match awards were shared by Sangakkara and Ajmal, while Junaid Khan sneaked in once. All three players are around, ready to continue their personal battles.
First to the series played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah in October/November 2011.
Angelo Mathews top-scored with a fighting 52 not out, twenties from Mahela Jayawardena and Lahiru Thrimanne and a 37 from Tharanga Paranavithane saw Sri Lanka reach a below-par 197. Pakistan went on the rampage (511-6) with Taufeeq Umar 236, Hafeez 75, Azhar Ali 70, Misbah 46 and Younus Khan 33. Rangana Herath trundled down a marathon 61.4 overs for his 3 for 126.
Sangakkara’s eight double century, Prasanna Jayawardena’s 120 and Thrimanne’s 68 guided the visitors to 483. Gul, 3 for 64, took the bowling honours. The target was 170 in 21 overs, but the Pakistanis played safe and called it off at 21-1.
Pakistan’s assertiveness continued in the next Test which they won by nine wickets. Sangakkara made 79 and Chanaka Welagedara a slightly surprising 48 in Sri Lanka’s 239. Gul led the attack once more and finished with 3 for 78. Pakistan kept the momentum going, scoring 403 for a lead of 164. Azhar Ali 100, Misbah 41, Younus 55, Safiq 59, Adnan Akmal 41 and Hafeez 33 all put their shoulders to the wheel.
Paranavithane made a solid 72, Mathews an unbeaten 52, Sangakkara 30 and Dhammika Prasad 33. (The last-named had earlier claimed 3-104). The total of 257, slightly better than their first effort, meant that Pakistan needed 94 to win and go one up. Hafeez 59, Azhar Ali 29 were both unconquered, as their team strolled to victory on the back of Ajmals 5 for 68.
The boot was on the other foot in the third Test. Inevitably, Sangakkara showed the way with 144. Dilshan 92, and thirties from Mahela Jayawardena, Kaushal Silva and Herath meant that a healthy 413 was posted on the board.
The old firm of Younus and Misbah (122 and 89 respectively) together with the youthful Azhar Ali (53) saw to it that Pakistan did not fall too far behind. Welagedara 5-87 and Herath 3-85 ensured a first innings lead of 73. Half centuries from Paranavithane and Sangakkara followed as Sri Lanka rushed to 181-6. Pakistan were set 255 in 57 overs, but they were content to sit on their lead and grind out a draw. 87-4 in 57 overs was a bit of a bore.
The scene shifts to Galle and the opening test of the 2012 series in June/July. More often than not the patch at Galle reserves its favours for the local spinners. Set 510 to win, Suraj Randiv and Herath dispatched five as Pakistan were bowled out for 300 and lost by 209. Man-of-the-match Sangakkara made a monumental 199 not out. Dilshan 101, Mahela 62 and Prasanna Jayawardena 48 assured a healthy 472 total. Ajmal reveled and in tandem with Hafeez (3 for 55) accounted for eight wickets.
Herath and Randiv cut through the Pakistan batting to curtail them to a lowly 100. The Sri Lankan rubbed it in by batting again. Dilshan had 56 to go with his earlier hundred. One-nil with two to go
Pakistan struck back with a vengeance at the SSC. A mind boggling 551-6 with Hafeez 196, Azhar Ali 157, Tanfeeq 65, Misbath 66 not out and Younus 32, there were centuries once again for Dilshan (121) and Sangakkara (192) and Mathews made 42. Left-arm seamier Junaid Khan had a five-for and Rehman four.
The Pakistanis declared on 100-2 to throw the game open but the Sri Lankans were reluctant to take risks and moved to 86-2 at the close. Pakistan had a moral victory.
Pallekale was next. Seventies from Paranavithane, Thilan Samaraweera and Thissara Perera gave the Sri Lankan a lead of 111, Junaid had another five-for, this was after the visitors had been kept down to 226. Thissara had four, so his confidence must have been high when he went out to bat.
Pakistans made the declaration at 380-8, there were hundreds for Azhan Ali and Asad Shafiq. Hafiz (52) and Adnan, an unbeaten 35, came good. Sri Lanka was asked to make 270 in 71 overs. The carrot was dangled but the local batsmen refused to nibble. Chandimal (65) and Sangakkara (74 not out) saw their team to 195/4 at the close and a series win.
Crystal-ball gazing, one sees quite a few runs and some tantalizing spin bowling. Pakistan one better prepared and primed for battle. The Sri Lankans will, as is their work, look to the big four.