Sri Lanka took full control of the second Test match against Pakistan at P. Sara Oval grounds at back of off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal’s maiden five-wicket haul on Thursday.
Batting first, Pakistan was blown away for only 138 courtesy 22-year old Tharindu Kaushal’s special bowling performance on his first Test at home. Fast-bowler Dhammika Prasad exploited the early advantage from the surface taking 3 wickets. Mohammed Hafeez was the top run-getter with a composed 42.
In reply, Sri Lanka openers, Kaushal Silva and Dimuth Karunarathne batted with confidence and responsibility to put on 47 runs until the left-hander gave away his steady start by chasing a wide delivery and getting himself dismissed off Junaid Khan for 28. Kumar Sangakkara (18*) came to bat in the final few overs and showed positive intent until close of play. The hosts’ still trail by 68 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the first innings.
Earlier, Pakistan skipper Misbah Ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch that had a tinge of grass. The visitors went in with the same playing XI while Sri Lanka brought in two young bowling talents in Tharindu Kaushal and Dushmantha Chameera to the playing XI.
Dhammika Prasad struck the first blow in the 3rd over when he induced Ahmed Shehzad for an outside edge from a peach of a delivery which was well pouched by Kumar Sangakkara at first slip. The 22-year old debutant, Chameera bowled with raw pace including few fiery Yorkers in his first spell of 5 overs but failed to break the steady partnership of Azhar Ali and Hafeez.
The two right-handers played elegant strokes to stern up a 46-run stand for the 2nd wicket before Prasad came back for his 2nd spell to take out Ali caught behind by Chandimal for a well-made 26 off 45.
Younis Khan playing his 100th Test match survived a close LBW shout off Angelo Mathews when he was yet to open his account. The Lankan captain persistently attacked the stumps and tested the Pakistani batting legend.
Soon after the Lunch break, Dhammika Prasad removed the dangerous Younis Khan in the first over when the right-hander failed to keep his gloves away from a short delivery and the ball popped straight to Dinesh Chandimal’s hands.
Mohammed Hafeez was well set for a composed half ton but Tharindu Kaushal bowled a big turning off-spinner which deviated off the pads and rolled onto the stumps to end Hafeez’s terrific knock of 42.
Tharindu Kaushal struck back viciously again in his next over to trap down last match’s centurion Asad Shafiq LBW for only 2 runs with another sharp turning off-spinner as the rain started to pour down.
After the 57-minute break due to rain, play resumed sharp at 2.15pm. Pakistan skipper Misbah Ul-Haq ran himself out soon after the rain break when he tried to steal a single from a forward push but his counterpart Angelo Mathews was quick to respond to run-out Misbah for 7 at the striker’s end.
Sarfraz Ahmed tried his best to counter Kaushal’s effect using the sweep shot but once he changed his tactics and tried to play straight, another sharp turning off-spinner took the inside edge onto the pad and went straight into Angelo Mathews’ hands at first slip.
Wahab Riaz had no clue while trying to sweep Tharindu Kaushal and became the 8th Pakistani wicket to fall after Sri Lanka reviewed the LBW decision which was denied earlier by the umpire…
Dushmantha Chameera’s efforts with the ball were finally rewarded when he took his maiden Test wicket dismissing Zulfiqar Babar for 5. The left-arm spinner tried a big heave over mid-wicket region but only found his stumps rattled behind. The Pakistan misery was ended in the 43rd over when Kumar Sangakkara took a brilliant running catch at long-on to dismiss Yasir Shah off Tharindu Kaushal as the visitors were rolled over 138.
Pakistan lost their last 8 wickets for only 64 runs in the second session. Playing only his second Test, Tharindu Kaushal took only 10.5 overs to dismantle Pakistan Cricket Team’s middle and lower order before Rangana Herath were even introduced to bowling.
Pakistan – 138 all out in 42.5 overs: Mohammed Hafeez 42, Azhar Ali 26, Tharindu Kaushal 5/42, Dhammika Prasad 3/43.
Sri Lanka – 70/1 in 32 overs: Dimuth Karunarathne 28, Kaushal Silva 21*, Kumar Sangakkara 18*, Junaid Khan 1/25.
