Another day which was mainly dominated by Sri Lanka as Pakistan bowlers failed to make an impact in the first and second session by picking only one wicket each. It was however the last session which produced some excitement when Ajmal claimed a few quick wickets to hamper Sri Lanka's progress. This meant Sri Lanka declared after taking a lead of 82 runs and put Pakistan in to bat with 20 minutes to go in the days play. The decision proved to be a shrewd one when Herath claimed the wicket of Khurram Manzoor who was caught behind leaving Shehzad and Ajmal (night watchman) to see off the remaining few overs. Sri Lanka appear to have the upper hand at the moment as Pakistan still trail by 78 runs. Day 5, thus, seems to be full of interesting possibilities with Pakistan looking to ensure that they do not give any advantage to Sri Lanka.

By PakPassion.net Staff (9th August, 2014)

Day 4: Pakistan - 4/1 in 6 overs (Manzoor 3, Shezad 1*), Sri Lanka - 533/9d in 163.1 overs (KC Sangakkara 221, Mathews 91)


[Overnight: Sri Lanka - 252/2 in 80.0 overs (KC Sangakkara 102*, Mahela Jayawardene 55*)]

Morning Session

Sri Lanka started the day with 199 runs behind on 252-2, Pakistan could have got a wicket on the very first ball of day when the ball flew of Kumar Sangakkara's bat straight to Abdur Rehman who somehow managed to drop an absolute sitter. Pakistan however did get a wicket of soon after, when Jayawardene was trapped LBW by Junaid Khan, the umpire initially gave it not out but decision was reversed when Pakistan decided to challenge the umpire and go for a review.

Pakistani bowlers failed to capitalize after the early wicket on Day 4, Both Sangakkara and Mathews looked at ease as they started to build a solid partnership between them

At Lunch Sri Lanka were 338 for 4 with Sangakkara on 140* and Mathews 43* at the crease.


Afternoon Session

After the lunch break, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq decided to throw the ball to part time leg spinner Ahmed Shehzad who surprisingly looked threatening as he extracted turn and bounce on a flat Galle pitch. However Skipper Mathews and Sangakkara kept on scoring runs to to take Sri Lanka past 400. The Pakistan team must have been wondering why they didn't review the LBW shout against Sanga when he was on 0.

Younis Khan dropped Sangakkara once again in the slips when he was on 165. Pakistan finally got a wicket when Saeed Ajmal broke the 181 run stand between Sangakkara and Mathews, Mathews pushed at a doosra from Ajmal and he was caught at first slip after scoring 91 runs.

At Tea Sri Lanka were 449 for 4, trailing Pakistan by only 2 runs with Kumar Sangakkara still at the crease on 189 runs, nearing yet another double ton alongside him was Kithuruwan Vithanage on 5*.


Evening Session

Sri Lanka lost two wickets in quick succession straight after tea when Saeed Ajmal removed Kithuruwan Vithanage when he edged a offspinning delivery to Asad Shafiq at second slip, Ajmal struck again in the very next over this time, Niroshan Dickwella fell victim to Ajmal's offspiner, edging it straight to Asad Shafiq who made no mistakes.

Sangakkara bought up his 10th career Test 200+ score, only second behind the legendary Bradman. Ajmal got another wicket of Parera and was bowling beautifully however on the end Sangakkara kept on scoring runs to take Sri Lanka past 500 and the lead crossing 50 runs.

Sangakkara in an attempt to score quick runs came down the track to Abdur Rehman and missed the line of the delivery to be stumped after a superb innings of 221. Sri Lanka eventually declared the innings at 533-9 as Saeed Ajmal finished with yet another 5-fer (5-166). A lead of 82 runs and 20 mins to go in the close of play showed a positive intent from skipper Mathews to enforce a result.

The Pakistan openers Shehzad and Manzoor were in the middle to face a few tricky over before close of play as Mathews used his spinners straight away.

At Stumps Pakistan were 4-1 with Shehzad on 1* and Ajmal yet to get off the mark after Sri Lanka declared on 533-9.


Day Four: Fall Of Wickets

Morning Session

3-257 (Jayawardene, 80.4 ov)


Afternoon Session

4-438 (Mathews, 137.3 ov)


Evening Session

5-450 (Vinthanage, 141.6 overs)
6-458 (Dickwella, 143.5 overs)
7-475 (Parera, 149.5 overs)
8-511 (Sangakkara, 158.1 overs)
9-522 (Prasad, 163.1 overs)

1-3 (Manzoor, 3.3 overs)


Summary Day 4

Another day which was mainly dominated by Sri Lanka as Pakistan bowlers failed to make an impact in the first and second session by picking only one wicket each. It was however the last session which produced some excitement when Ajmal claimed a few quick wickets to hamper Sri Lanka's progress. This meant Sri Lanka declared after taking a lead of 82 runs and put Pakistan in to bat with 20 minutes to go in the days play. The decision proved to be a shrewd one when Herath claimed the wicket of Khurram Manzoor who was caught behind leaving Shehzad and Ajmal (night watchman) to see off the remaining few overs. Sri Lanka appear to have the upper hand at the moment as Pakistan still trail by 78 runs. Day 5, thus, seems to be full of interesting possibilities with Pakistan looking to ensure that they do not give any advantage to Sri Lanka.

Discuss