Pakistan 89/1 in chase of 508 victory target
Sri Lanka declared their innings with a lead of 507 after Dhananjaya de Silva completed his 9th Test hundred and Ramesh Mendis played a fighting unbeaten knock of 45 when bad light stopped play at 3.35pm yesterday the fourth day of the second test against Pakistan played at Galle International cricket stadium.Pakistan in their second innings chasing a target of 507 runs were 89 for 1 wicket at close while they need 419 runs to win this game on final day today with nine wickets in hand.
Sri Lanka started the day with 176 for 5 wickets while overnight pair Dhananjaya de Silva and Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne made a superb batting display to collect 126 runs sixth wicket partnership. Karunaratne played with his back pain injury got 61 in 105 balls with three fours while Dhananjaya continued his innings to build up the challenging total. He was finally run out for 109 in 171 balls with 16 fours while all rounder Ramesh Mendis made his carrer best 45 not out in 54 balls with five fours. The pair Dhananjaya and Mendis added 82 runs eighth wicket stand to put Sri Lanka in commanding position with 360 for 8 declared.
Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz shared two wickets each for Pakistan .
Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam Ul Haq added 42 runs open stand for their second innings while Shafique was out 16 in 51 balls with 3 fours. Prabath Jayasuriya was the solitary wicket taker yesterday while yougester Dunith Wellalage took a very well judged catch at mid off to dismiss Abdullah Shafique who was the match hero of the first Test scoring 160.
Dhanajaya confident to take early wickets today Sri Lankan acting skipper Dhananjaya de Silva said due to bad light and rain they missed the final session of yesterday and will expected to dismiss Pakistan team to get victory. Actually the first session of the day very vital today and we are plan to get more wickets on this first session. Some times final day last session might lost due to bad light same as yesterday and we have to do lot of work. Our spinners have hard work while Prabath Jayasuriya the key bowler is doing well at the moment and he can spot the ball very well and the supporting bowler like Ramesh can give good support to put presure on Opponents said Dhananjaya de Silva.
Actually this wicket is not giving much support to the bowlers up to yesterday it is good for the batters and it’s good for the Test cricket. When I went to bat Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was their and he made good supporting role and both of us chat with each other to build up the innings.
Dhanajaya de Silva further said We have talented youngsters like Kamindu Mendis,Lakshitha Manasinghe and when the bench is strong means team also become very strong and that is good sign for Sri Lanka cricket”.
Today the final day the game will commence at 9.45a.m and Sri Lanka looking to get early wickets to win the gamePakistan need 418 runs to win with nine wickets in hand…a daunting task..