Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. The pitch was a typical SSC flat track and Misbah would've been hoping to bat first too in order to try put pressure on the home-side in this must win game. However, his fast bowlers (Junaid with 4 wkts, Wahab with 3 wkts) did not disappoint him as they picked up 7 wickets to make it Pakistan's day without a doubt. The only blemish for Pakistan is the fact that Sri Lanka were able to score 261 and it will be important for the visitors to wipe out the tail within the 300-320 mark and then bat with firm resolution to put themselves in charge for the remainder of the game.

By PakPassion.net Staff (14th August, 2014)

Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat

Teams:

Pakistan: 1. Khurram Manzoor, 2. Ahmed Shehzad, 3. Azhar Ali, 4. Younis Khan, 5. Misbah-ul-Haq (c), 6. Asad Shafiq, 7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8. Abdur Rehman, 9. Wahab Riaz, 10. Saeed Ajmal, 11. Junaid Khan

Sri Lanka: 1. Upul Tharanga, 2. Kaushal Silva, 3. Kumar Sangakkara, 4. Mahela Jayawardene, 5. Angelo Mathews, 6. HDRL Thirimanne, 7. Niroshan Dickwella, 8. Dilruwan Perera, 9. Dhammika Prasad, 10. Rangana Herath, 11. UWMBCA Welegedara

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and decided to bat first with both teams making some changes in their line ups from the last gmae, Sri Lanka brought in Chanaka Welegedara and Lahiru Thirimanne for Shaminda Eranga and Kithuruwan Vithanage, while Pakistan included Wahab Riaz at the expense of Mohammad Talha.


Morning Session

Sri Lanka opened with Tharanga and Kaushal Silva who looked solid from the word go. The pitch didn't offer much to the pacers as Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz failed to trouble the batsmen and created no real chances. Misbah-ul-Haq soon turned to his spinners as Abdur Rehman was given the ball in the 11th over soon followed by Saeed Ajmal.

Tharanga came down the track to Ajmal in an attempt to dominate the bowling but completely missed the ball which unexpectedly bounced and hit Sarfraz's ear. Tharanga was on 24 when the potential chance was missed although it would be a little harsh to blame the keeper as the ball bounced unexpectedly high. Junaid Khan was bought back in to the attack to replace Rehman just before Lunch but the openers were unmoved.

At Lunch Sri Lanka were 69-0 with Tharanga on 28* and Kaushal Silva on 38*


Afternoon Session

It was Junaid Khan and Saeed Ajmal who continued after Lunch with Junaid attacking the batsmen with short deliveries round the stumps. Junaid got Kaushal Silva caught behind on a length delivery which came after a bouncer. It was Pakistan's nightmare Sangakkara who was the next man at the crease.

Sangakkara had no problems whatsoever with the form he is in and started scoring runs freely. Tharanga bought up his fifty on the hand by cutting Wahab for a boundary. The fifty partnership was soon up between the two as Misbah was shuffling his bowlers around in search for a breakthrough.

Wahab Riaz then produced an absolute ripper of a delivery that beat the defences of danger man Kumar Sangakkara, bowling him for 22

At Tea, Sri Lanka 162/2 with Mahela Jayawardene 4* and Upul Tharanga on 81*.


Evening Session

Saeed Ajmal struck in the first over after tea, when he trapped Mahela Jayawardene LBW on just 4 runs as Sri Lanka lost their third wicket on 167. Upul Tharanga continued to bat brilliantly on the other end as he neared his hundred. Wahab spoiled Tharanga's party as Azhar Ali took a brilliant catch at short leg for 92. Thirimanne was the new man in who joined Mathews at the crease.

Thirimanne was dropped at first slip by Khurram Manzoor but Junaid came back in the next over to get him caught behind for 20. Pakistan bowlers were enjoying a good spell here as WK Dickwella walked at the crease on 215-5.

Dickwella moved the field around by picking up singles and doubles where as Mathews was always looking solid. The spinners continued bowling even thought the new ball was due which was taken after 82 overs. Junaid struck straight away getting Dickwella LBW which was reviewed but the decision remained as the ball was clipping leg stump. He had Parera LBW in the same over as well - Pakistan now had 5 wickets in the last session and Junaid had 4 to himself. Pakistan ended the day on a positive note as Wahab who had been providing good support thus far, removed the dangerous Mathews with a short ball which kissed the gloves on the way to the keeper.

At stumps Sri Lanka were 261-8 with Prasad on 4*


Day One: Fall Of Wickets

Morning Session

No Wickets

Afternoon Session

1-79 (Kaushal Silva, 32.5 overs)
2-144 (Sangakkara, 47.5 overs)

Evening Session

3-167 (Jayawardene, 54.6 overs)
4-177 (Tharanga, 59.3 overs)
5-215 (Thirimanne, 74.3 overs)
6-249 (Dickwella, 82.2 overs)
7-249 (Parera, 82.5 overs)
8-261 (Mathews, 85.1 overs)


Summary Day 1

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. The pitch was a typical SSC flat track and Misbah would've been hoping to bat first too in order to try put pressure on the home-side in this must win game. However, his fast bowlers (Junaid with 4 wkts, Wahab with 3 wkts) did not disappoint him as they picked up 7 wickets to make it Pakistan's day without a doubt. The only blemish for Pakistan is the fact that Sri Lanka were able to score 261 and it will be important for the visitors to wipe out the tail within the 300-320 mark and then bat with firm resolution to put themselves in charge for the remainder of the game.

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