CricketViewer.com

It was an exciting day at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo where Pakistan won the toss and elected to field after a day was lost due to heavy rainfalls. Inzamam’s decision was proved to be right, quickly, as Muhammad Asif got Tharanga’s leg before wicket on fourth ball of the innings. After that, it was pure rampage by Asif and Umar Gul. Gul, who was included in the playing XI as Rana Naveed went back home, took 2 and Asif 3 wickets as Sri Lanka was 32 for 5 in 13 overs. However, Pakistan was unable to play with the early advantage and Sri Lanka managed to score 111 runs on the 6th wicket partnership between Dilshan and Maharoof. Eventually Sri Lanka got out on 185 runs. Asif took 4 and Danesh Kaneria 3 wickets.

Today Pakistani bowling was tidy and up to the mark. It was really amazing to note number of extras given today. There were 11 extras in 57.5 overs of Sri Lankan innings out of which there was only 1 wide on no no-balls. It seems that Waqar Younis has done something afterall.

Pakistani batting start was shaky, as usual. Shoaib Malik was the first casuality of the innings, getting out for 13. Younis Khan went on the next ball without scoring a run. At one point, Pakistan were 28 for 3 but due to 94 run partnership between Imran Farhat and Inzamam, Pakistan managed to score 124 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.

First half of tomorrow is going to be crucial for Pakistan. We need to keep wickets in hand and score atleast 300 runs to be in a commanding position.

Technorati Tags: Colombo, Inzamam, Sri Lanka