Date-stamped : 23 Apr97 - 14:22 Day 1 report Electronic Telegraph Sri Lankans hit back By Matt Hannah in Colombo HASHAN Tillekeratne and Arjuna Ranatunga led a Sri Lankan batting revival on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Colombo. Tillekeratne made an unbeaten 65 and Ranatunga, the captain, 49 as Sri Lanka, reduced to 64 for three after electing to bat on a slow wicket, recovered to 254 for five by the close. The pair put on 89 for the fifth wicket and then Tillekeratne teamed up with wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana (48 not out) to add 75 in 90 minutes for the sixth as the bowlers wilted in the hot sun. The rescue act came after three wickets had fallen for three runs on either side of lunch, and top batsman Aravinda De Silva's dismissal for 23 had Sri Lanka on the ropes at 90 for four. Spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq compensated for the absence of injured pacemen Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis by ripping through the top half. Leg-spinner Mushtaq, who took two wickets in successive overs before lunch, ended the day with three for 100. Saqlain lived up to his growing reputation as a fine off-spinner by taking one for 67 from 31 overs. Ranatunga, who came in at the fall of the third wicket, was fortunate to escape a leg-before verdict first ball as he played back to Saqlain and was rapped on the pads. Sri Lankan umpire Udaya Wickremesinghe turned down the strong appeal from the bowler and fielders. Source :: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Day 2 report Depleted Pakistan put Sri Lanka to the sword: Hashan hits sixth Test century by SA'ADI THAWFEEQ A depleted Pakistan side put Sri Lanka to the sword by making a bold reply of 200 for two wickets against 330 by the end of the second day of the first cricket Test played at the R. Premadasa Stadium Sunday. Pakistan displayed excellent fighting qualities after losing opener Salim Elahi to the first ball of the innings. Elahi did not offer a shot to a Vaas delivery that came back off the seam to trap him in front of the wicket. That early dismissal did not deter Pakistan who with great resolve set about amending that early loss through two useful partnerships involving Ijaz Ahmed. The stylish right-hander from Sialkot stroked his way to within ten runs of what would be his seventh Test century by the close. He has so far hit 10 fours in almost four hours batting. Skipper Rameez Raja (50) and Salim Malik (47 n.o.) gave Ijaz good support in Pakistan's reply. Rameez who hit three hours in two hours of batting, helped Ijaz add 102 for the second wicket. Malik followed his captain by adding a further 98 runs in an unfinished third wicket stand. Malik has batted for 112 minutes and hit two fours. The two batsmen plundered runs at will against a wearing Sri Lankan bowling attack which looked innocuous on the slow flat pitch. Ijaz driving fluently on both sides of the wicket completed his fifty in 156 minutes with six fours. The morning session was dominated by Sri Lanka's Hashan who completed his sixth Test century and Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq who claimed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Sri Lanka resuming from their overnight 254 for 5, added a further 76 runs for their last five wickets before being dismissed for 330 , 20 minutes after lunch. Romesh Kaluwitharana duly completed his fourth test half-century, but was out shortly afterwards, when he attempted a big hit off Saqlain and was bowled for 57. He hit eight fours in a stay of 106 minutes helping Tillekeratne add another 89 runs for the sixth wicket. Arjuna Ranatunga and Tillekeratne also put on 89 for the fifth wicket. Tillekeratne profiting from a missed catch at 85 by Mushtaq Ahmed at mid-off completed his sixth test century in 325 minutes off 215 balls, but couldn't make much headway after the break. being dismissed in the second over of the afternoon. The left-hander attempted to cut Saqlain with the spin and only ended up by putting up a dolly catch to Asif Mujtaba at slip. His innings of 103 lasted 349 minutes and 228 balls and comprised 10 fours. Saqlain also accounted for the wickets of Kumara Dharmasena for one and Nuwan Zoysa for a `duck' to finish with his best test figures of 5 for 89. It was the first time the 20-years-old off-spinner had taken five wickets in an innings in a Test. His previous best was 4 for 75 against Zimbabwe at Sheikupura last year. Fast bowler Mohammad Zahid took Chaminda Vaas' wicket for 17 having him caught behind with the second new ball which was not claimed until the 115th over. It was Tillekeratne's second century against Pakistan, his previous one - 115 at Faisalabad set up a Sri Lankan victory by 42 runs, in September last year. Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Daily news- Day 2 Comment Sports Comment: Hashan, Saqlain take honours The second day of the First Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan belonged to two players. First it was to left hander Hashan Tillekeratne and then to off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. Tillekeratne completed a well deserved century and with it shut the mouths of his critics who were chanting for his removal. True, his form of late was not in keeping with his play. But then all good batsmen go through a bad patch or a lean spell and Tillekeratne was only going through that dreaded spell momentarily. NEVER LOST HIS COOL Yesterday although wickets were falling around him, he never lost his cool and relied on another of his breed Chaminda Vaas to see him through to his century. The hallmark of Tillekeratne's batting is that he is able to stick it out in the middle, frustrate the bowlers and pick holes in the field placing, which must be annoying to any skipper. Tillekeratne played a real test innings when his side wanted it most. Had he gone the batting would have been in shambles. He was involved in two good partnerships first with his skipper and then with the dashing Kaluwitharne. Tillekeratne's century was one which he played for the team. He is a real team man and he proved this fact in no uncertain terms with this cool and calculated innings. IMPROVING Pakistani off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq showed once again that he is improving with every game. In this test he has so far shown his prowess with the ball and his five wicket haul tells the story. There was spin in the wicket and he extracted it intelligently by fighting the ball, pitching on a good length and teasing the batsmen. He is being classed as the best off spinner in the world. But that can be argued with Murali in the game too. As for Muralitheran it is a pity that he suffered an injury to his bowling hand trying to grab a bullet of a drive by Ijaz Ahmed. He left the field with his hand bleeding and although he came back to bowl was in apparent discomfort. His injury would certainly have upset Ranatunga's plans. MUCH MORE SPIN The wicket as it is playing now is going to take much more spin as the game progresses and Muralitheran's absence will be greatly felt. As it is there is only Dharmasena to look forward to. With paceman Waqar Younis suffering an injury during the practice game and flying home, it was surprising to hear that skipper Wasim Akram will not take any further part in this tour. He is suffering a shoulder injury. But the question to be answered is: why did he make himself available knowing full well that he was injured? By coming and then crying over his injury he has not played fair by his team, his coach and his cricket Board. We are sure he will have a lot of explaining to do to his Board. And it will be interesting to see how the Cricket Board will react. Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) 21 April 1997 Monday 13 Zilhaj 1417 Day 2 report, Dawn Career-best bowling by Saqlain, Tillekeratne lifts Sri Lanka Samiul Hasan COLOMBO (Sri Lanka), April 20: A career-best bowling by Saqlain Mushtaq couldn't deny Hashan Tillekeratne a fine century for Sri Lanka on the second day of the first Test at the Premadasa Stadium (formerly known as Khatterama) on Sunday. Saqlain, the crafty off-spinner, captured five wickets for the first time in eight Tests conceding 89 runs but Hashan Tillekeratne, who lifted Sri Lanka from a precarious 90 for four to 254 for five at stumps on Saturday by scoring an unbeaten 65, continued from where he left to score a brilliant 103 in home team's 330. It was his sixth Test century and second against Pakistan. A depleted Pakistan in the absence of its four frontline players, at the close of play, were 200 for two despite losing opener Salim Elahi on the very first ball. Elahi, who had 43 runs in the previous four Test innings, didn't offer any stroke off a straight ball one from Chaminda Vaas. But Ijaz Ahmad, with all guns blazing, hit some superlative shots in his unbeaten 90 off 186 balls. Ijaz, a pinch-hitter, blasted 10 boundaries which could have easily been more had the ground not been heavy. The way Ijaz batted on Sunday, in all likelihood he should reach his seventh Test century; first against Sri Lanka, fifth outside Pakistan and fifth in the last two seasons. Ijaz hit cracking shots on the off-side against the Lankan pacers but was hard on the spinning trio of Kumara Dharmasena, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan hitting them over the heads of mid-on and mid-off fielders besides some exciting cover-drives. He danced down the track to play ferocious shots which were a delight to watch. With Ijaz was his brother-in-law Salim Malik whose wristy shots made things look so easy for those sitting outside. Malik, who came here in 1994 as captain, was batting on 47 from 81 balls with two hits to the fence. Skipper Ramiz Raja also made a contribution to Pakistan's bold and positive reply. Raja scored a fine 50 off 85 balls with three boundaries to put on 102 runs for the second wicket in 121 minutes. The make-shift opener was caught at short mid-wicket off Kumara Dharmasena shortly after reaching his 22th half century in Tests. Saqlain Mushtaq, who had a tough task ahead to prove that he was not only world-class in limited overs cricket but in five-day cricket as well, was simply outstanding. He got wickets and also curtailed the flow of runs as is evident from the fact that he conceded 89 runs in his 44.2 overs besides picking up five wickets for the first time. Saqlain's previous best figures were four for 75 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura earlier this season. Saqlain was more effective and almost unplayable on the second day when he bagged four wickets for 22 runs in 13.2 overs. He gave more flight to the ball and displayed variety to mesmerise the Lankans. But the help Saqlain got from the track must be alarming because Sri Lanka have one of the finest turners of the ball todaywMuttiah Muralitharan. Pakistani batsmen will have to apply themselves and bat cautiously and sensibly if they want to stay in the game. After Saqlain had an in-form Marvan Atapattu without allowing him to open his account on the first day, his victims on Sunday were Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumara Dharmasena (who played onto his stumps), Hashan Tillekeratne and paceman Nawan Zoysa (who was adjudged lbw). Saqlain received ample support from Mushtaq Ahmad, the leg-spinner, who couldn't add any wicket to his Saturday's tally of three. Mushtaq, who has 65 wickets in the last eight Tests, finished with three for 123 that included the wickets of Sanath Jayasuriya (31) and debutant Russell Arnold (24) in a space of three balls. Mushtaq also had an in-form Aravinda de Silva who was smartly stumped by Moin Khan with TV umpire's aid. Tillekeratne batted with patience, determination and concentration to guide Sri Lanka to a position from where they can dictate terms which at one stage looked out of question. The left-hander, whose previous century against Pakistan was at Peshawar on the 1995-96 tour, faced 215 balls in his marathon five hours and 25 minutes innings. His knock was spiced with 10 delightful boundaries. Tillekeratne fell victim to Saqlain Mushtaq's `mystery ball' which spun into him and the batsman, already committed to cut, ended up getting an outside edge and Asif Mujtaba picking up a good sharp and low catch. Nevertheless, Tillekeratne was fortunate to reach three figures when he was declared not out by home umpire Wickremasinghe off Saqlain Mushtaq. TV replays clearly showed the ball had taken the outside edge of Tillekeratne's bat before going into the gloves of Moin Khan. It would not be out of context to mention here that several dubious decisions were given by Wickremasinghe with Pakistan being on the receiving end. The worst decision, which in the end might be a decisive factor in the match, was when Arjuna Ranatunga was declared not out off Saqlain Mushtaq when the home skipper was hit first ball on the back foot when Sri Lanka were 90 for four. Ranatunga capitalised from the opportunity to score 49 runs but most importantly shared in an innings building 89-run partnership in 113 minutes for the fifth wicket with Hashan Tillekeratne. And when Romesh Kaluwitharana took the crease with the scoreboard reading 179 for five against the tired Pakistani bowlers, he punished them severely to race to 48 by the close of play aided by seven blistering boundaries in his 48. The little wicketkeeper came back on Sunday to add another nine runs before Saqlain dismissed the symmetry of his stumps. Kaluwitharana hit eight boundaries in his 89-ball knock. Kaluwitharana pampered the Sri Lankan score by adding 89 runs in 106 minutes for the sixth wicket with Tillekeratne. Source:: Dawn (http://xiber.com/dawn/) Day 3 report- Daily News Muralitharan career-best 6/98 BY SA'ADI THAWFEEQ Sri Lanka's ace spinner Muthiah Muralitharan took a career best 6 for 98 but could not prevent Pakistan from gaining a useful first innings lead of 40 on the third day of the first cricket Test played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. Pakistan ended the day at 370 for 9 in reply to Sri Lanka's 330. Two more days remain in the Test. Muralitharan didn't show any signs of discomfort on his finger injury of the second day when he attempted to hold a powerful drive from Pakistan skipper Rameez Raja. He reeled off 43 overs to improve on his previous best test figures of 5 for 33 against Zimbabwe on the same ground last year. It was also Muralitharan's seventh five-wicket innings haul in Test cricket. MARATHON EFFORT However Muralitharan's marathon efforts were thwarted by his vis-a-vis in the Pakistan team, off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq who followed his career best five wicket haul in the Sri Lankan first innings by scoring an undefeated half-century. Whatever hopes Sri Lanka had of wrapping up the Pakistan tail were spoilt by the defiance put by Saqlain, who is no mean customer with the bat having proved his credentials by scoring 79 in a record breaking eighth wicket stand of 213 with Wasim Akram against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura in December last year. On this occasion Saqlain ensured that Pakistan would not finish behind Sri Lanka on the first innings by completing his fifty in 255 minutes with the aid of five fours shortly before the close. SPLENDID SUPPORT Saqlain received splendid support from Asif Mujtaba (21) who helped him add 50 for the seventh wicket and fellow spinner Mushtaaq Ahmed (26) who assisted him in a furtherstand of 38 for the eighth wicket. Ijaz Ahmed held the early Pakistan innings together by duly completing his seventh century in Test cricket. But he nearly never got there. In a mix up with partner Salim Malik he was first ruled run out at 98 and then recalled to complete his century after he had gone into the dressing room. When Ijaz played a ball from Muralitharan to short mid-wicket and set off for a single, Malik responded partly and then turned back, resulting in both batsmen ending at the non-strikers end. Ranatunga the fielder, returned the ball to wicket-keeper Kaluwitharana who removed a bail. IJAZ RECALLED English umpire David Shepherd in consultation with third umpire Kandiah Francis of Sri Lanka, first ruled Ijaz run out. But when the TV replays showed sharper and clearer pictures of the incident, Francis revoked his earlier decision and made Shepherd recall Ijaz, and ruled Malik as the batsman run out. Malik made 58 in 144 minutes with three fours and added 117 with Ijaz for the third wicket. Ijaz went on to make 113 in a stay of 324 minutes stroking 11 fours, before becoming one of Muralitharan's three victims before the lunch break. The Sri Lankan spinner threatened to run through the Pakistan batting line up reducing them from 247 for 3 to 248 for 6, but having got rid of the Pakistan top order, he saw Saqlain prove to be the biggest stumbling block. Nuwan, Sanath casualties Sri Lanka suffered two casualties on the field on the third day of the First Cricket Test against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa stadium yesterday. Teenaged left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa has aggravated a muscle injury in his left leg and is very unlikely to bowl in the match. Soyza had a similar injury in Sharjah, but recovered to be fit to be included for the First Test against Pakistan. Zoysa's injury is likely to rule him out of the Second Test starting on Saturday at the SSC _ his home ground. Sri Lanka were also without the services of opening bat Sanath Jayasuriya, who was down with tonsillitis and running a temperature. He did not take the field the whole day. With two substitutes on the field, and Jayantha Silva performing 12th man duties Sri Lanka had to call on the services of all-rounder Ruwan Kalpage, who was not a member of the 15-man squad named for the test. Kalpage, who came in briefly for skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, who was off the field for a short time, made his presence felt immediately by holding on to a brilliant dividing catch at short midwicket to send back Inzamam-ul-Haq for 12. _ (S.T.) Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Day 3 comment - Daily News Muralitheran spins a web The slow approach of the Pakistani batsmen made it apparent that they would be happy to occupy the crease for long as possible and force a draw in the First Test with Sri Lanka. They are here with a depleted side and they cannot be blamed for adopting that approach. But cricket is a funny game and anything is possible. But during this batting drawl the Sri Lankan bowler who stood tall and gave an abject lesson in clever, intelligent and tantalising off spin bowling was the diminutive Muttiah Muralitheran. TWO BOWLERS SHORT Skipper Ranatunga had to handle an attack with two bowlers short - Nuwan Zoysa and Sanath Jayasuriya. He relied on `spider' Muralitheran to spin a web and lure the Pakistan batsmen to their downfall. And this Muralitheran did with ease and like the champion bowler that he is. On the second day he suffered a cut to his bowling hand and not very many bowlers would have wanted to bowl leave alone take the field. But Muralitheran realising the predicament that his skipper and team was placed in took the field and when he was handed the ball did not cringe but showed the mettle that he is made of by turning in a fantastic spell of off spin bowling. Except for an occasional breather Muralitheran was always firing and firing on target. None of the Pakistani batsmen were comfortable against him and his haul of 6 for 98 in 53 overs was a great reward for his perseverance. BRILLIANT CATCH It needed a brilliant diving catch at mid wicket by Ruwan Kalpage to get rid of Inzamum ul Haq to put Muralitheran on the wicket taking trail. After a run out mix up which was a sort of a comedy of errors when one batsman was given out and then recalled when he was almost unstrapping his pads, unnoticed Kaplage took the field as a substitute and what a catch he clung on to. Kalpage was not in the original squad of 15. But with injury to Zoysa and Jayasuriya unwell, Kalpage had to be summoned from who knows where and the catch he took signalled a Pakistan collapse and put Muralitheran on song. Skipper Ranatunga with a depleted attack to handle switched his bowlers around cleverly and although it was only Muralitheran in the wicket taking act, the other bowlers too bowled tight. CENTURY MAKER Other than for century maker Ijaz Ahmed the only other Pakistani batsman get going was Saqlain. Sri Lanka were lucky to get rid of Salim Malik run out. Malik is one of the best players of spin in the world and had he been at the wicket would have played Muralitheran better. The wicket continues to take spin and the Lankan batsmen will not have it easy when they go in a second time. Pakistani spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq are known to be match winners on helpful pitches and with Jayasuriya on the sick list and with Mahanama one of our best batsmen against spin not playing the batsmen will have to make it their business to stick at the wicket and bat for long as possible and stall the Pakistani of chalking up a surprising and upset victory. Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Day 3 Report - Dawn Ijaz given 2nd chance to score century in Test Samiul Hasan COLOMBO (Sri Lanka), April 21: Ijaz Ahmad became the first-ever batsman in the 120-year history of Test cricket to be called from the dressing room after being declared out and then score a century on the third day of the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka here on Monday. Ijaz was adjudged run out by umpire David Shepherd in the 9th over of the day when 98. He had hit the ball at mid-wicket and sprinted towards the bowler's end only to see Salim Malik standing in his crease and Romesh Kaluwitharana removing the bails at the striker's end after collecting the throw from Arjuna Ranatunga. Shepherd, the most experienced umpire in the ICC panel, after seeking the help from TV umpire K.T Francis, gave marching orders to Ijaz who slowly disappeared in the dressing room showing his displeasure over the decision while shaking his head. But much to the surprise of anyone watching the proceedings, Shepherd recalled Ijaz from the dressing room and instead gave walking orders to Salim Malik. Ijaz, when asked to come back, had taken off his pads and was sitting with his head in his hands. Ijaz returned to the wicket, took a single to go to 99 and on the third ball reached his seventh Test century by playing the ball at deep mid-wicket off Muralitharan but Pakistan failed to capitalise on the overnight score of 200 for two to end at 370 for nine and take a slender lead of 40 runs overs Sri Lanka, thanks to a fighting half century by Saqlain Mushtaq which was his second in 11 Test innings. It was later told to the Pressmen that Ijaz was first given run out by TV Umpire K.T Francis who later reversed his decision informing Shepherd on the walkie-talkie that "after watching several replays, I have reached a decision that a crossing was made and Ijaz had reached the bowler's end first." Ijaz Ahmad, though managed to chalk up his second successive century after 125 against New Zealand at Rawalpindi earlier this season÷-first century against Sri Lanka and fifth outside Pakistan÷-he failed by 17 runs to reach 2,000 runs in his 52nd knock of the 35th Test when he was caught by Kumara Dharmasena at point off Muttiah Muralitharan off a loose shot. Ijaz, who resumed this morning at 90, faced 245 balls in his 113 that included 11 hits to the fence during a 324-minute of occupancy of the wicket. Ijaz batted with controlled aggression and defence, but surprisingly couldn't convert a century into a bigger score. His top score of 145 against England at Leeds last year confirms the point that he loses concentration and application after reaching three figures. Nevertheless, it was a well played knock and deserves credit and appreciation. On the whole, it was a disappointing day's play in which 170 runs were scored by Pakistan in 360 minutes (95 overs). On Sunday, Pakistan had made a very positive start reaching 200 for two in 56 overs. The first session produced just 55 runs for the loss of four wickets including the scalps of Inzamamul Haq (12), Ijaz Ahmad (113) and Moin Khan (0) in a space of 14 balls and for the addition of just one run. The second session yielded 66 runs for the loss of Asif Mujtaba's wicket who was caught and bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan after scoring a snail-paced 21 off 97 balls. Only 49 runs were scored in the last session. The slow rate of scoring may be because Pakistan battled out for survival on the third day rather than maintaining Sunday's pace of scoring. At the end of the day, Saqlain Mushtaq left the ground with his head high. Things had looked gloomy for Pakistan when they slumped from 247 for three to 248 for six before lunch. But Saqlain stood firm and played defiantly to deny the Sri Lankan bowlers the chance to end Pakistan innings for a much lesser score. Saqlain, who scored 79 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura and added 313 for the eighth wicket with Wasim Akram (257), kept his end blocked for a little over four hours and 24 minutes during which he received 219 balls with five boundaries. The off-spinner, who is a strong contender for Man-of-the-Match after picking up five wickets for 89 runs in Sri Lanka's 330, shared in two valuable partnerships. From 248 for six, Saqlain Mushtaq with Asif Mujtaba took the score to 298 by adding 50 runs in 106 minutes. The partnership ended when Mujtaba hit back to Muralitharan to be out after scoring 21 off 97 balls with two fours. Later, Saqlain added 38 runs for the eighth wicket with Mushtaq Ahmad who dominated the stand by scoring 26 from 54 balls with two fours before losing his stumps while charging on Muralitharan. Shahid Nazir lived shortly but Saqlain got a dependable partner in Mohammad Zahid who frustrated the hosts for 60 minutes without being separated. The unbroken last wicket added 21 runs. The bowling honours were snatched by off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who registered his career-best six for 98 from 53 overs. Muralitharan, who had over five wickets in the innings, earlier the best figures of five for 33 at the same ground last year against Zimbabwe. It was a commendable achievement by the off-spinner in the background that he had injured his bowling finger on Sunday while trying to accept a return catch from Ijaz Ahmad when he was seven. Muralitharan was the mastermind behind Pakistan's slump from 247 for three to 248 for six when he claimed the wickets of Ijaz, Inzamamul Haq (who played a reckless shot and spectacularly taken by short mid-wicket by substitute Rawan Kalpage) and Moin Khan (who tried an over-ambitious shot to be bowled). Earlier, Salim Malik, who had to leave the field in the run-out controversy with Ijaz Ahmad, added 11 more runs to his overnight score of 47. He faced 115 balls and hit three fours. It was Malik's 42nd half century. Source:: Dawn (http://xiber.com/dawn/) Day 4 report- Daily News De Silva, Ranatunga take Sri Lanka to safety - lead by 158 runs By SA'ADI THAWFEEQ Sri Lanka's master batsman Aravinda de Silva came out of a long run drought in Test cricket to steer his side to safety with an unbeaten knock of 79 on the fourth day of the First Cricket Test against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa stadium yesterday. De Silva defied the Pakistani bowlers for 262 minutes, hitting seven fours and one six to score his first half-century in 15 Test innings. The last occasion he made over a fifty was in September 1995 scoring match-winning 105 against Pakistan at Faisalabad. Thanks to de Silva and his captain Arjuna Ranatunga, (58), who figured in a third wicket partnership of 129, Sri Lanka ended the penultimate day of the Test at 206 for 3 wickets - an overall lead of 158. With only a day remaining, the Test seems headed for a tame draw. De Silva snatched the highlights of the fourth day with his superb and chanceless knock against some high class spin bowling by Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed. After a cautious beginning, De Silva displayed his full range of strokes taking 14 runs off one over from fast bowler Mohammad Zahid, which included a superbly hooked six over mid-wicket. De Silva completed his 14th test fifty with a pull off Mushtaq for this sixth four. It took him 98 balls and 124 minutes. With Ranatunga providing good support, the pair carried Sri Lanka to safety after Saqlain had sent back both openers when the overall lead was only six runs. Ranatunga was out shortly before the close, playing a tired stroke and offering his vis-a-viz Rameez Raja, a simple catch at backward square leg. His 25th Test half-century took him 206 minutes and comprised five fours. Sri Lanka were forced to open the batting with their first drop batsman Marvan Atapattu as regular opener Sanath Jayasuriya had still not recovered from tonsillitis and `flu'. Atapattu made 25 before falling to a catch at mid-on, and his partner Russell Arnold was out for 15, hitting a catch to mid-off after misreading Saqlain's slower ball. Pakistan resuming at 370 for 9 added only eight to their total before Arnold ran out Saqlain for 58 with a direct throw from the covers. Saqlain displaying fine temperament batted five hours and hit five fours. Pakistan took a lead of 48 runs. Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Day 4 Comment Daily News Aravinda, Arjuna stand tall The Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga and vice captain Aravinda de Silva tagged the local Harvey and O'Neil of Australian fame have done a magnificent job for their team in the First Test against Pakistan. After dismissing Pakistan for 378 and conceding a 48-run lead, Sri Lanka were over the coals as it were when they were 2 for 53 in their second essay, a slender lead of 13 and the possibility of the innings further deteriorating when de Silva and Ranatunga joined forces. The duo realised the responsibility thrust on them and by dint of some correct batting and by applying themselves all the way to the cause they blunted the Pakistani attack especially off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq who at one stage threatened the batting when he grabbed two early wickets that of openers Arnold and Atapattu. When Arnold went lollying a catch to mid off, the manner in which Aravinda de Silva walked in, it was apparent that he was going to make a big score. I told media liaison officer Ryle de Sylva that Aravinda is in for a three figure score or more and that prediction seems to be coming true. From the moment he took strike he had determination written over every stroke he played and was out to make amends for his first innings failure. In Pakistani skipper Wasim Akram's list he is the fourth best batsman in the world behind Brian Lara, Steve Waugh and Sachin Tendulkar. He could easily have been the best, but then Sri Lanka does not play many Test matches as the West Indies, Australia and India do. But after this innings no one will be faulted if they bracket him with Brian Lara. Aravinda was in fine form from the first ball. He had rare world timing and especially the hook shots he played were things of beauty. He was in no undue hurry, playing the bowling on its merits and waiting for the loose ball to score. He has a wide repertoire of strokes and unleashed them as his innings gathered momentum. Skipper Ranatunga gave Aravinda all the support in his endeavour to take Sri Lanka out of trouble and their partnership of 129 runs was of great value to the side. Ranatunga got into the run making act in the final in Sharjah and in the first innings of this Test had the misfortune of being dismissed one short of a well deserved 50. But in this innings he was the master. He played some lovely strokes that were from the book and the 58 he made was worth its weight in gold. He has one flaw and that is that he tends to favour the sweep shot. The chances are that this stroke will always end up in a catch to short leg, deep square leg or short fine leg. And this is how he went caught at short fine leg playing this stroke. He will do well to forget this stroke. Playing straight is what batting is all about and we hope Ranatunga would have learned. Ranatunga did everything that was expected of him in this game. In addition to his batting his captaincy was first rate and according to Wasim Akram he is a tough captain. As for the Pakistanis, with the wicket not helping the bowlers they had to wait for the batsmen to make mistakes. And this Arnold and Atapattu did. As I said Aravinda is looking good and one hopes he bats for the rest of the day today and makes a very big score. The game as it stands is destined for a draw and there is no purpose of Sri Lanka making a token declaration unless they are confident they can get the Pakistanis out a second time. Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Day 4 report: Electronic Telegraph De Silva in control By Qamar Ahmed in Colombo SRI LANKA, trailing by 48 runs on the first innings, were steered to the safety of a possible draw with the help of a valuable 129 third-wicket partnership between Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva when play ended on the fourth day of the first Test. At the close Sri Lanka, wiping off the deficit, were 206 for three and led Pakistan by 158 runs. De Silva, with an unbeaten 79, was still there having struck seven fours and a six in 262 minutes of solid defiance, thus ending his run drought of his last 14 Test innings in which he had gone without a half-century. The two experienced batsmen had come to Sri Lanka's rescue after Pakistan, resuming from an overnight 370 for nine, were all out for 378 within 30 minutes and then had both Sri Lankan openers, Russel Arnold and Marvan Atapattu, out with only 53 runs made. Having survived several leg-before appeals against leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, including a close one when only 10, de Silva batted sensibly along with his captain, Ranatunga, after Saqlain Mushtaq had Arnold caught at cover before lunch and Atapattu at long-on by Shahid Nazir after the resumption. At tea, having added 65 runs, de Silva and Ranatunga were well in control as Pakistan's bowlers toiled in the sun and in humid conditions on a wicket which had drastically changed its character to be of little assistance. De Silva, having struck six fours and a six off Mohammad Zahid, was 52 at tea. Ranatunga reached his half-century in the last session having batted for 190 minutes in which he hit four boundaries. There were lusty cuts and drives by both as they went past the hundred partnership. A tired Ranatunga mistimed a sweep off Mushtaq later in the afternoon and was comfortably taken at fine leg by Ramiz Raja, the Pakistan captain, when 58. De Silva, however, continued to bat solidly even after his captain's dismissal to share another useful 24 runs for the unfinished fourth-wicket with Hashan Tillekeratne, the first innings century-maker. Source :: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Day 4 report- Dawn Ranatunga, de Silva dash Pakistan's hope in Test Samiul Hasan COLOMBO (Sri Lanka), April 22: Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga thwarted determined Pakistan bowlers for almost two sessions as the first cricket Test headed for a likely draw. Sri Lanka, trailing by 48 runs on the first innings after Pakistan were dismissed for 378, finished the penultimate day at 206 for three after they took lunch at 45 for one and then lost Marvan Atapattu shortly after the break at the score of 53. But the old war horses who share 124 Tests between them, de Silva and Ranatunga, dashed any hope Pakistan had of making a match out of it on a slow turning track by sharing a 129-run partnership for the third wicket in 206 minutes. The partnership ended when Ramiz Raja held a regulation catch off Mushtaq Ahmad to dismiss Ranatunga. The Sri Lankan skipper had tried to sweep Mushtaq only to get the shoulder of the bat and flew into the hands of his counterpart at short fine-leg. Arjuna Ranatunga, who made 49 in the first innings, made a slow, patient but flawless 58 that came in 206 minutes during which he faced 265 balls. He hit the ball to the fence five times. It was Ranatunga's 25th half century in 66 Tests. Aravinda de Silva, who came in the match in tremendous form after scoring 404 runs in Sharjah, made amends for first innings failure by scoring an attractive unbeaten 79. Interestingly, it was his first half century in 15 Test innings. His last big score in a Test was against Pakistan at Faisalabad where he scored 105. Aravinda, in his 262 minutes of occupancy of the crease, has so far received 192 balls out of which seven were converted into cracking boundaries besides a towering six off Mohammad Zahid on a bouncer. With de Silva was Hashan Tillekeratne batting on 20 from 33 balls that included three boundaries. Aravinda de Silva was extremely lucky to be batting at stumps and the credit for this goes chiefly to local umpire Udaya Wickramasinghe. De Silva, when 10, was hit on the right toe off Mushtaq Ahmad right in front of the wickets but Wickramasinghe turned a deaf ear to the virtually howling Mushtaq and close-in fielders. TV replays confirmed that the ball had hit Aravinda de Silva right in front of the wickets. Tony Greig, here as commentator on Sri Lanka TV, couldn't hide his feelings when he said de Silva was having his second outing. This match has been marred by some bad umpiring. Arjuna Ranatunga and Hashan Tillekeratne benefited from favourable decisions from Wickramasinghe while David Shepherd with TV Umpire K.T Francis helped Ijaz Ahmad make history when he came back from the dressing room after being given out and then hit a century. There is talk in the Press room that Wickramasinghe has decided never to give lbw decisions after the 1991 Sharjah Cup final between Pakistan and India where he gave five lbw decisions in the match and three in as many balls to give Aqib Javed a hat-trick and match figures of seven for 37. Earlier, Pakistan resumed their first innings at the overnight 370 for nine in reply to Sri Lanka's 330. They were all out after 37 minutes of batting in which just eight runs were added. Saqlain Mushtaq, who started at 51, was the last man out when set off late for a single after pushing the ball at point and had to pay the penalty when a brilliant pick-up and throw by debutante Russell Arnold beat the Pakistan off-spinner by nearly six inches. Nevertheless, Saqlain contributed a very useful 58 from 248 balls with five boundaries. Mohammad Zahid, who faced a barrage of short-pitched deliveries from Chaminda Vaas, remained not out on six. With Sri Lanka enjoying a lead of 158 runs with seven wickets intact, the match is almost dead barring the glorious uncertainties of the game in which one has seen wickets fall like ninepins. While both Sri Lanka and Pakistan battled hard on the fourth day under hot and humid conditions, if the tourists look back to see where they lost the grip in the match, they would find that the last 157 minutes of their innings was a complete waste of time. In the final session of 120 minutes on Monday, Pakistan added just 49 runs while in 37 minutes of the fourth morning, they put on eight runs. Had Ramiz Raja taken a gamble last evening by declaring the first innings and then managed to bag a couple of wickets by stumps, it would have been a better bargain. The absence of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis also affected the Pakistan side. Mohammad Zahid and Shahid Nazir bowled their hearts out, but lacked the class of the famed Ws. Even on this slow track, Akram and Younis would have bowled with experience by mixing their faster with slower ones. And who can deny their artistry of firing reverse swings with the old ball. Source:: Dawn (http://xiber.com/dawn/) Day 5 report- Daily News Aravinda compiles monumental 168: Test ends in a tame draw By Sa'adi Thawfeeq Sri Lanka vice-captain Aravinda de Silva duly compensated for his barren run in 14 Test innings without a century when he compiled a monumental 168 on the fifth and final day of the First Cricket Test against Pakistan which ended in a tame draw at the R. Premadasa Stadium Wednesday. Sri Lanka resuming at 206 for 3, batted throughout the whole day to finish on 423 for 8 when the Test ended after one ball of the mandatory 15 overs had been bowled. A draw seemed quite evident when Sri Lanka didn't show any signs of declaring and setting Pakistan a target to chase. The reasons for that was quite understandable as skipper Arjuna Ranatunga was carrying a few injuries to his bowlers, Muthiah Muralitharan (side strain) and Nuwan Zoysa (pulled leg muscle). The highlight of the day was undoubtedly de Silva's marathon innings. In 508 minutes at the wicket he hardly put a foot wrong, nor did he play a false stroke, although spinners Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed and Asif Mujtaba tempted him with flighted deliveries. The only time de Silva made a mistake, he was caught by Saqlain at mid- off off Mushtaq. His departure in the second over after tea made Sri Lanka 390 for 6. He faced 383 balls and hit one six and 14 fours in compiling his ninth Test century, his fifth against Pakistan and his highest-ever at home. De Silva last made a century for his country in September 1995 against Pakistan at Faisalabad. His previous highest score at home was 148 against India at the Sara Stadium in 1993-94. No sooner had de Silva completed his century in the morning session (he resumed at 79) the Test became of academic interest. His century came up in 324 minutes off 235 balls with one six and seven fours, and his 150 only the third time he had gone over that mark, was brought up in superb fashion. De Silva gave young fast bowler Mohammad Zahid a lesson to remember. In the bowlers 11th over, he slammed him for 16 runs which included three consecutive fours, two hook shots and a back foot cover drive, which left the bowler totally confused where he could pitch the next delivery to a master batsman. The second, new ball didn't seem to have any effect on De Silva. He only relished it. Left-handers Hashan Tillekeratne and Sanath Jayasuriya also joined the run parade compiling contrasting half-centuries to carry Sri Lanka past the 400-run mark for the first time in a Test against Pakistan at home. The previous highest was 323 for 3 at the Sara Stadium in 1985-86. Tillekeratne, Sri Lanka's highest ranked Test batsman in the world rankings followed his first innings century with an innings of 54 made in 105 minutes with five fours. Jayasuriya didn't show any signs of his virus that kept him in bed for the entire fourth day, when he belted the tiring Pakistani attack for an exciting 62 off 84 balls, enlivening the afternoon session's play. The left-hander smashed one six and seven fours, and with De Silva shared a 75-run sixth wicket stand in 86 minutes. Saqlain put up another marathon bowling effort picking up a further four wickets to give him match figures of 9 for 226 off 107.2 overs. This superb effort coupled with his half-century gave Saqlain the `Man of the Match' award. The Second Test of the two-match series starts on Saturday at the SSC. Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Day 5 comment- Daily News Sports Comment: It was an Aravinda show By Elmo Rodrigopulle After the cricketing rescue act put on show by Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga on the fourth day, the fifth day yesterday, once again belonged to our master batsman Aravinda who not only went on to complete a century but made it a big score of 168 in the drawn Test against Pakistan. As a contest the game was good as over on the fourth day when the Pakistanis failed to separate the captain and vice captain who were involved in a stand of 129 to take their team to safety. MARATHON KNOCK As predicted by this columnist, Aravinda completed a century and in doing so went on to frustrate the opposing bowlers. He played an innings not in keeping with his natural instincts. He is one who likes to bang the ball about. But in a crisis he rises to the occasion and plays an innings unlike him and sees his team through rough waters, like he showed in this marathon innings. Aravinda is one to whom records do not mean a thing. He does not go fishing for records nor is he aware that records are their for the asking when he is taking strike. He plays every innings like a new one and only once in the pavilion does he realise that he has either missed a record or broken one. COMFORTING It is nice and a comforting thought that Aravinda de Silva is among the runs again. Skipper Ranatunga must indeed be a happy man that he too is firing. For far too long have their bats remained silent. It is hoped that they will carry this form into the Second Test at the SSC starting on Saturday. It is a pity that Hashan Tillekeratne missed making twin centuries. After his first innings `ton', there was another one for him in the asking, but a drive with his head up made him hole out to mid off. He must be told that chances like this don't always come and when they do come, they must be grabbed with both hands and capitalised on. TREMENDOUS OVATION Sanath Jayasuriya who could not bat in his accustomed position as opener received a tremendous ovation when he came in at the fall of the fifth wicket. A rule as it that if one is off the field for a day then he can as opener bat only at the fall of the fifth wicket. Now this rule should have a bit of flexibility considering the fact that Jayasuriya was not shamming an injury. Jayasuriya once again played an entertaining innings. When he felt like he would bang the bowling about and when the situation demanded defended cleverly. SAQLAIN IMPRESSIVE Once again it was off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq who impressed for the visitors. He bowled a marathon spell, but failed to get any support from the other bowlers. Although leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed bowled well he was not penetrative enough. It was credit to curator Alagasamy and the staff of the R. Premadasa Stadium that the wicket played true and lasted the five days. When this is being read the Sri Lanka team for the crucial Second Test would have been picked. The SSC wicket usually favours pace. But with the rains setting in, the selectors would be in a dilemma as to whom they are going to slot in. IDEAL SUPPORT `We would like to see the return of Dulip Liyanage to the big league and also the inclusion of Ravindra Pushpakumara. If the weather stays fine and the wicket likely to assist pace then these two should be ideal support for Chaminda Vaas. On the contrary if the weather forces a change in the wicket then an extra spinner would be needed and Jayantha Silva would be a good bet. Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Day 5 report- Dawn De Silva hits up fine century as first Test is drawn Samiul Hasan COLOMBO (Sri Lanka), April 23: Aravinda de Silva knocked up a magnificent 168 as the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a tame draw at the Premadasa Stadium here on Wednesday. Despite being forced to keep chasing the ball throughout the day, Pakistan were not disappointed in the end when their off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq captured four wickets for 137 runs after his five wickets for 89 runs in the first. Saqlain finished with the outstanding analysis of 107.4-20-226-9 in the match. Saqlain was well rewarded for his laborious effort when he was adjudged Man-of-the-Match. Helped by two more half centuries on the final day from Hashan Tillekeratne (54) and Sanath Jayasuriya (62), the world champions were 423 for eight when both the captains decided to call off the proceedings with the departure of Chaminda Vaas who gave Mushtaq Ahmad his third wicket of the innings and sixth of the match. Pakistan had earlier taken a slender 48-run first innings lead by scoring 378 in reply to the hosts' 330. At close, Sri Lanka were 375 runs in front. Aravinda de Silva, who resumed this morning at 79, took another 42 balls to get the required 21 runs to complete his ninth century in Test and fifth against Pakistan. The century also helped him break his century drought. His last century was against Pakistan at Faisalabad in the 1995-96 series. Aravinda de Silva, 31 and playing his 59th Test, eclipsed two personal landmarks also. His 168 was his best score at home. He broke his previous best of 148 against India on the 1993-94 rubber. Aravinda's 168 was also his best score against Pakistan with the previous being 127 here on the 1994-95 series. De Silva was not only a model of concentration, application and determination, he played some hard pulls and cuts to do bulk of the scoring in those areas. Unfortunately, Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja didn't plug those area. De Silva, after reaching the three figures, was seen at his brilliant best when he played sparkling shots. Mohammad Zahid was one of the sufferers from de Silva's onslaught when he was struck for three boundaries in a row off the third over with the second new ball. But Aravinda de Silva's dismissal was mainly due to a casual shot. Trying to drive Mushtaq Ahmad over extra-cover, he failed to connect the ball well and Saqlain Mushtaq pulled off a blinder at the same area. The former Sri Lankan skipper, in all, batted for eight hours and 28 minutes during which he received 383 balls. His innings sparkled with 14 boundaries and a six. Aravinda de Silva reached his century from 235 balls with seven fours and a six while his 150 came off 333 balls and included 13 boundaries and a six. De Silva was also involved in two valuable partnerships. For the fourth wicket, he added 83 runs in 105 minutes with Hashan Tillekeratne keeping the dominating partner scoring 54 of those runs. Tillekeratne, who fell to Saqlain Mushtaq by hitting right into the throat of Ramiz Raja at mid-off, faced 95 balls with five converted into boundaries. For Tillekeratne, it was a very good match in the background that he scored 103 in the first innings. De Silva shared in a 75-run partnership with Sanath Jayasuriya who gave some life to a boring day's play with blistering shots more like the ones he plays in one-day cricket. Jayasuriya, suffering from a bad throat, hammered seven boundaries and a six off Saqlain Mushtaq in his 84-ball 62. The performance of Saqlain Mushtaq was impressive. He made the ball turn but since the wicket was too slow, he was handled more with care by the batsmen than with confidence. His nine wickets for 226 runs speaks volumes for the talent the boy has. But doubts are being created if he has the ability to run through the innings. At least, 107.2 overs don't tell a good story. Nevertheless, if is to be seen what Saqlain does when he plays at the Sanghalese Sports Club which is said to have a more sporting wicket than this one. Mushtaq Ahmad, the leg-spinner, was out of form and lacked the bowling rhythm. He is suffering a little with some problems with the knee and the back. Nevertheless, he managed to snap up three wickets to prove himself yet again that he is a fighter. The performance of the two pacers, Mohammad Zahid and Shahid Nazir, was unsatisfactory. Both the bowlers misused the new ball by bowling too many long-hops. Between the two, they share seven Tests which tells the whole story. They either bowled short of length or bowled at a perfect place to be hit for runs. Shahid Nazir may have the satisfaction of picking up a wicket of Romesh Kaluwitharana. Mohammad Zahid, in fact, deserved that wicket when he found the outside edge of the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper's bat on the third ball with the second new ball but Asif Mujtaba failed to hold a regulation catch. The fielding of the Pakistanis remained below par and quite a few extra runs were conceded through misfielding. A couple of catches also went abegging in the match. Source:: Dawn (http://xiber.com/dawn/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)