"Sanga and Dilshan establish control" - 3rd Test, Day 1, Review

[farhan1]

This was a day which was overshadowed by the jailing of three players who once represented Pakistan, a day which most of Pakistan would want to forget.

Far away from the madness in London, a Pakistani team was busy playing a game of cricket in a field in Sharjah

Even here, a solid partnership between former captain Sangakkara and Dilshan was an event that Pakistan would want to forget. The union helped Sri Lanka to attain a dominant position for first the time in the series – a superlative performance which gives them a good chance of avoiding a series defeat.

It didn't start all too well for Sri Lanka, as they suffered a early reminder of why Pakistan are leading the series after Pakistan's most experienced bowler Umar Gul managed to send Tharanga Paranavitana back to the pavillion after he edged the ball to 2nd slip. The crisis continued for Sri Lanka as Sangakkara was nearly run out after a miscommunication with Dilshan.

After a few close calls, Sri Lankan batsmen slowly settled down and adapted against the in form bowlers of Pakistan.

Dilshan and Sangakarra formed a strong partnership of 173 runs, which was finally broken by in form Saeed Ajmal who produced a doosra which ended up as a catch to first slip.

The victim was Dilshan who was a whisker away from claiming his first century since last Summer at Lords, being only 8 runs away from a ton.

Despite Pakistan finally making the break through of the long partnership they had to put up with, Sangakarra could not be denied a century - also becoming the 11th player to score past 9000 run mark, a day and achievement he will never forget.

Sri Lanka now sit on 245-2, a comfortable and strong position despite surving 3-4 tough overs from youngster Junaid Khan and Umar Gul with the new ball towards the end. Sri Lanka now can breathe easy and look forward to Sangakarra and Jayawardene, two of their most experienced batsmen who will be hoping to add more pain to Pakistan tomorrow. Can Pakistan respond?