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A typical resolute half century by middle-order batsmen Hashan Tillekeratne helped Sri Lanka to a formidable 254/5 on the first day of the First Cricket Test against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
Tillekeratne, ranked No. 3 in the latest Wisdens monthly rankings put on 88 runs with skipper Arjuna Ranatunge (49) and an unbroken 75 runs for the 6th wicket with Romesh Kaluwitharana (48 n.o.) to help Sri Lanka to recover from a precarious 90/4.
Earlier in the day, Arjuna Ranatunge won the toss and elected to bat first. For Sri Lanka NCC's 23-year-old opener Russell Arnold became the 68th player to make his debut in the country's 71st test.
Sri Lanka's new look opening pair of Sanath Jayasuriya and Russell Arnold found no terrors against Pakistan's young pace duo of Mohamed Zahid and Shahid Nazir. Rameez Raja brought on his spinners, Saqlain in the 6th over and Mustaq in the 13th over in a bid to break the opening stand. However, both batsmen batted sensibly and grafted their runs studiously.
Jayasuriya collected a couple of boundaries with his trade mark shot - the square cut, while Arnold hoisted Mustaq for a six over mid-wicket as the Lankan openers threatened to take the bowling apart. However Leg-spinner Mustaq Mohamed put the skids on the innings just before lunch when he bowled both openers in successive overs, for Lanka to go into lunch at 63/2.
Marvan Atapattu's nightmare in Test continued when he was caught bat-pad in the second ball after lunch without scoring. It was Marvan's sixth duck in nine innings.
Aravinda de Silva was then joined by Arjuna Ranatunge and the pair began repairing the innings. De Silva playing his 100th innings continued from where he left off in Sharjah to play some elegant strokes. He cut and drove with power and precision before a sudden rush of blood saw him come out to a Mustaq delivery, only to be be stumped by Moin Khan.
At 90/4 the Lankans were on the ropes again. However skipper Ranatunge paired-off with Hashan Tillekeratne and fought back to stem the tide. Ranatunge shrugged-off some indifferent form to compile 49 which included five boundaries. The pair added 88 for the 5th wicket.
With the captains exit Romesh Kaluwitharana strode to the crease and immediately launched to his stride attacking the bowlers to all corners of the field. Kaluwitharana struck a bristling 48 not out off 80 balls. Together with Tillekeratne the pair added an unbroken 75 runs to take Sri Lanka to a formidable 254/5 by the close. Tillekeratne was unbeaten on 65, his 14th half-century. His resolute knock which came in 216 minutes held Lanka's middle-order together and paved the way for a sizeable first innings total.
Sri Lanka 1st Innings
S. Jayasuriya b. M. Ahamed 31 R. Arnold b. M. Ahamed 24 M. Atapattu ct. Elahi b. S.Mustaq 00 A. de Silva st. M. Khan b. M. Ahamed 23 A. Ranatunge ct. Elahi b. A. Mujtaba 49 H. Tillekeratne not out 65 R. Kaluwitharana not out 48 Extara (B-2, LB-7, W-1, NB-4) 14 Total (for 5 wickets) 254 Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-62, 3-84, 4-90, 5-178
Bowling: M. Zahid 11-1-23-0, S. Nazir 16-6-32-0, S. Mustaq 31-7-67-1, M. Ahamed 24-2-100-3, A. Mujtaba 8-2-23-1.
Hats off to Hashan Tillekeratne. He has one of the most patient, cool and calculated heads on his shoulders. And if Sri Lanka manages to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series against Pakistan, for which they appear favourites, the left-hander will be the main man behind it.
Though skipper Arjuna Ranatunga led the initial fightback after the world champions slumped from 61 for no loss to 90 for four and later in the day little Romesh Kaluwitharana played a cracking unbeaten innings, it was Tillekeratne who held the collapsing fort together.
It was a determined, courageous and text book innings which even Hanif Mohammad, here with Radio Pakistan, would feel proud to owe. Solid in defense and ruthless on anything loose, Tillekeratne never buckled down under pressure.
In the present era where fireworks of one-day cricket are enjoyed more, Tillekeratne showed what Test cricket is all about. You hang on there and keep fighting and that is how you make your name as a fighter or Mr. Reliable for which the former wicket-keeper certainly has a claim.
But Tillekeratne's job is not over yet. He has to begin today from zero point and bat till the last, if Sri Lanka target at least another 100 runs added to their overnight 254 for five. Anything around 350 will be a match winning score on this track which was taking turn from the very onset, not very surprsingly to me when the hosts have great turner like Muttiah Muralitharan. Not to belittle the brave efforts of Ranatunga, Tillekeratne and Kaluwitharana, Pakistan were without the services of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Even on this turning track, their reverse swing artistry with the old ball might have created problems for Sri Lanka.
To rub salt to the wound, Ramiz Raja, who frankly speaking shouldn't be in the team, lacked ideas. It is probably bound to happen when you have captains on ad hoc basis with unsure of even their own place in the team. Raja, in the last hour of play, should have gone defensive to curtail the flow of runs from the willow of Kaluwitharana. The players after five hours of play were completely exhausted and out of stamina under the hot and humid conditions like the pressmen in the Press Box where facilities left much to be desired, very unfortunate for Premadasa Stadium.
Raja didn't do anything special or spectacular, even at the need of hour, like bringing Salim Malik into the attack in an effort to distract the concentration of the batsmen. Mohammad Zahid, the pacer who is easily the quickest among the present lot, was bowled for only 11 overs in just two spells. Zahid, who has 11 wickets on his debut, could have been given a four or five over spell in the second session of play which sadly was denied.
Raja may be confident about his batsmen, but the hard fact is there is no Saeed Anwar and Aamair Sohail to give a solid start to the innings. In the middle-order, Ijaz has not played any cricket since the Sharjah final last Friday and Asif Mujtaba will be under tremendous pressure very well aware of the fact that if he doesn't deliver the goods on this tour, he is gone for ever.
Salim Malik and Inzamam ul Haq will be the stroke-makers on whom Pakistan's hopes rest. They are world class batsmen and have been in similar situation on numerous times. But will they be able to live upto their reputation in this Test? It's a million dollar question.
Sri Lanka's star batsman Aravinda de Silva is currently lying in second place with a strike rate of 82.56. Vivian Richards of the West Indies who has a strike rate of 91.07, takes first place.
De Silva has so far aggregated 6288 runs off 202 matches with an average of 35.72 with 8 centuries and 42 half centuries. Richards had aggregated 6721 runs in 187 matches with an average of 47.50 with 11 centuries and 45 half centuries.
The leading run getter in limited overs of cricket is Desmond Haynes of the West Indies with 8649 runs has an average of 47.38 with 17 centuries and 15 half centuries at a strike rate of 62. 88.
The other leading scorers in limited over games are, Javed Miandad - Pakistan, 7381 runs in 233 matches at an average of 41.70 with 8 centuries, 50 half centuries at a strike rate of 66. 94; M. Azharuddin, India - 6635 runs in 241 matches at an average of 36.45 with 3 centuries, 39 half centuries at a strike rate of 73.19; Allan Border, Australia - 6528 runs in 273 matches with an average of 50.62 with 3 centuries, 39 half centuries at a strike rate of 71.12; Salim Malik, Pakistan - 6438 runs in 252 matches at an average of 33.88 with 5 centuries, 42 half centuries at a strike rate of 77.29; Richie Richardson, West Indies - 6246 runs in 224 matches at an average of 33.40 with 5 centuries, 44 half centuries at a strike rate of 63.29; Dean Jones, Australia - 6068 runs in 164 matches at an average of 44.51 with 7 centuries, 46 half centuries at a strike rate of 72.49 and David Boon, Australia - 5962 runs in 181 matches with an average of 37.03 with 5 centuries, 37 half centuries at a strike rate of 64.95.
Waqar Younis, the most feared bowler in the world, was forced to pull out of the current test series, on Thursday, further destabilising the already depleted Pakistani side. Though this sudden exit might be a morale booster for the Sri Lankan side, it certainly is a great loss to the thousands of youngsters who were looking forward to catch Waqar in action, right here in our home soil.
On the eve of his departure Waqar, with his left foot bandaged, was apparently in anguish leaning in a dressing room bench, when he spoke to 'The Sunday Times'. "I need complete rest for another three weeks," he said, and very pleasingly and patiently described his cricketing and personal commitments.
Six footed, and strongly built,Waqar simply said that he spends over 330 days a year playing cricket, and that cricket is a very exacting and strenuous full time job. "I hardly get any time to spend with my family and I greatly miss them; I am very close to my mother and my sisters, but cricket just doesn't permit me to spare sufficient time with your loved ones, and one has to accept it, as reality," he said.
"Cricket is a very demanding career and you need to spend lots and lots of time on training," he said and recalled many instances where he had suffered injuries, during practice sessions, which cost him several important competitions.
Though cricket is a full time business for Waqar, he doesn't hail from a cricketing background and admitted that even his younger brother plays very little cricket.
Unlike other celebrities, Waqar being a fast bowler who needs constant training, finds very little time between his play and practice sessions, and even during such times he confines himself to his friends. "I am a late night sleeper and I try to spend most of that time with my friends," he said. But on days when I am completely off the field, I sleep most of the time; at least till midday, and then straight away have my lunch.
"Afterwards I visit the Laser Vision Centre, an eye hospital which I own back at Lahore, along with some others and spend some time sharing the patient's grief with them. Then I go for a short training session in the afternoon. And in the night I again go out with my friends," said Waqar.
However during a match day, the schedules are pretty tight for the young pacie, as he has to wake up as early as seven or eight and go into net practices within a short time. Following the match Waqar finds very little time to talk to his admirers as he is fully fatigued, and occasionally it irritates him when he finds a hoard of fans thronging him.
But generally he likes to be with his fans and loves being a celebrity. "It is indeed great to be a person who is constantly looked at, looked upon and followed by a great number of fans. I think it is real fun to be such a person, but on the other hand you miss your private life," he regretted.
Waqar enjoying several world records, said that it is a great privilege to be the fastest wicket taker in the world, "I don't think anybody else has achieved to this feat," he said recalling his 240 plus victims in tests and 257 wickets in one day internationals. "It is very rare to find a duo like Wasim and me, in any other team who had passed the bowlers' landmark of 200 wickets in tests and ODIs."
Waqar explaining his cricketing ambition said that milestones will just come in your way, as you play for your country over a long period. "Every bowlers' dream is to become the highest wicket taker," he said and stressed his dream of becoming the highest wicket taker.
Quitting cricket might come as a very sad moment, for Waqar but his has elaborate plans to keep him occupied after retiring from active cricket. "I am already involved with my Eye Hospital, and I will dedicate all my time towards this cause, in. "You need to look after those less privileged," he said referring to those ailing from various eye diseases, which his hospital could treat for a very nominal amount or free of charge.
Asked how he would like to spend this year's Haj Festival in Sri Lanka, Waqar said that it is one of the moments in a year, when you are really happy, "and after all it is your festival. I would love to have spent it at home but unfortunately we are here in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless we have a brother in the Sri Lankans and we can still enjoy the festival here," he said.
Following are excerpts of the interview.
Q : Most memorable moment in your cricketing life
A : Pakistan winning the 1992 World Cup; though I didn't play in this competition I was very happy.
Q : Worst day in cricket
A : Losing the quarter finals against India, at Bangalore in the 1996 World World Cup.
Q : Cricketing Heroes
A : I really don't follow anybody, but my heroes are Michael Holding, Imran Khan, Dennis Lillee, and Malcom Marshall.
Q : Greatest influence on you
A : My father was the greatest influence on me, he always supported me. Not many parents allow their sons in their very early ages to go out and just play cricket. My father was very brave enough to say 'OK son go and play cricket, do whatever you want to do.' so I was very lucky and I would call this as the greatest influence on my cricketing career.
Q : Current players admired
A : Brian Lara, Saeed Anwar, and Sachin Tendulkar
Q : Any complaints about cricket
A : Too much of One-Day cricket, the matches should be limited.
Q : What do you hate the most
A : Somebody lying to me.
Q : Do you have a pet animal?
A : No. I don't pet any animals
Q : Hobbies and Interests
A : I like listening to music, and also spending time in a quiet place in my village where my father lives. Listening to Pakistani and western music gives me great joy.
Q : Other people admired
A : Nelson Mandela. He is a great man. What he did for the South African Blacks after spending such a long time in the prison, cannot be surpassed by anybody else. He is a great personality.
Q : Favourite grounds or venue
A : I like playing at Lords, that is one of the most beautiful grounds in the world.
Q : Favourite Movie/s
A : 'Silence of the Lambs'
Q : Favourite dress
A : Jeans and shirts, I am a very casual dresser, and don't wear too many suits.
Q : Favourite Food
A : Pakistani, and Chinese food.
Q : Favourite vehicle
A : BMW. I don't really drive now, but one day I hope to buy one; its very expensive though.
Q : Favourite holiday resort
A : Bermuda.
Q : Motto in your life
A : Do the best and fear no man.
Air Force No.8, Kimi Kobo breaks through a maul with all the efforts made by peterson players to stop him at the "Carlsberg Trophy" Clifford Cup Knockout Rugby tournament at Longden Place.
Air Foce won 27/22.
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