Sri Lanka Cricket

Seamers Nuwan Pradeep and Dhammika Prasad left Sri Lanka on top at stumps on Day 2 of the third and deciding Test against Pakistan. The visitors closed on 209 for nine in Pallekele, still 69 runs behind.

As fast-bowling friendly grounds go, Pallekele is no Headingley, but it was the seamers who dominated the rain-interrupted Day 2.

Sri Lanka may not have a bowler with the pace of Mitchell Johnson, but the canny Pradeep and Prasad proved to be too much for Pakistan's fragile lineup.

Lunch on Day 2: @TheRealPCB 45/3 trail by 233 runs #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/mZDuDBunFz

— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) July 4, 2015

The pick of the bunch was Pradeep, who tore the heart out of the Pakistani top order. On a pitch offering just a little encouragement to the quicks, Pradeep gave away few freebies and was rewarded for his metronomic accuracy.

After enticing Ahmed Shehzad to feather one behind to wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal, Pradeep returned to pick up the key wicket of Azhar Ali.

With 485 runs to his name already this year at an average of over 80, recorded by HowSTAT, Ali has been central to his side's recent Test revival. The Pakistani No. 3 looked well placed to add to his fine run but was undone by some clever bowling from Pradeep.

Attracted by a largely vacant off-side field, Ali threw the kitchen sink at a wide one and nicked it to Sri Lanka's first innings hero, Dimuth Karunaratne, who held a sharp chance.

Throw in the wicket of skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, trapped in front for just six, and it represented a fine day's work for Pradeep.

That Pakistan aren't already totally out of the game is largely thanks to Sarfraz Ahmed, who showed again why he is one of the world's best wicketkeeper-batsmen.

Sarfraz finished the day unbeaten on 72, a fine knock when you consider just one other Pakistan batsman passed 22. The 28-year-old didn't sacrifice his traditional attacking style, either, hitting six fours and scoring at a strike rate of 76.59. His impressive counter-attack may give his side a sniff as the game progresses.

Sarfraz Ahmed has the second best strike-rates in Test cricket by a wicket-keeper (minimum 1000 runs) #Cricket pic.twitter.com/C8NQOi98Q2

— Ramiz Raja (@RealRamizRaja) July 4, 2015

Sri Lanka's hopes of stretching their overnight total of 272 for eight past the 300 mark were soon dashed when Tharindu Kaushal and Pradeep perished in under four overs. The dismissal of Pradeep gave leg-spinner Yasir Shah another five-wicket haul and took his tally this series to 20.

Yasir will once again be the key figure when Sri Lanka bat for a second time. The home side have so far had no answer to the 28-year-old's control, turn and bounce.

The goal for Angelo Mathews' side will be to quickly wrap up the final Pakistan wicket and bat Pakistan out of the game.

It's hard to see them doing that, given the mastery Yasir has had over much of the Sri Lankan batting lineup.

A 69-run lead in a low-scoring match is certainly a handy one for Sri Lanka. It's not a game-winner, though.

A decent last-wicket stand between Sarfraz and Imran Khan followed by a couple of early wickets could transfer the pressure right back onto the home side.

Sri Lanka's batting has had an inconsistent look this series. They impressed in the second Test after buckling against Yasir in the first.

Pradeep and company showed there's something in the pitch for the quicker bowlers if they can maintain their accuracy. If Pakistan's sometimes profligate seam attack can somehow complement Yasir's threat, the series could yet get the cracking finale it deserves.

Sri Lanka levelled their Test series against Pakistan as they recorded a seven-wicket win in the second Test in Colombo.

The hosts, who required 153 runs to win on the final day, reached their target in just 26.3 overs at the P Sara Oval.

Rain washed out the final session on Sunday, and an overnight downpour saw the start delayed by 30 minutes on Day 5.

Sri Lanka clearly did not want the weather to play a factor in their chase, and openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Kithuruwan Vithanage amassed a 49-run partnership in just seven overs.

Vithanage played in one-day mode, reaching 34 from 23 balls with two sixes before slog-sweeping spinner Zulfiqar Babar and being caught at deep mid-wicket by Mohammad Hafeez.

There were some nervous looks in the crowd when stalwart Kumar Sangakkara departed first ball. The 37-year-old was caught at short leg after tentatively coming forward to Yasir Shah.

However Karunaratne and captain Angelo Mathews shared a 50-run partnership for the third wicket off only 62 balls.

Karunaratne reached his sixth Test half-century from 55 balls but departed with the home side 32 runs short of their target.

He became Yasir’s second victim as a delivery kept low and the left-hander, who was shaping for the pull, was adjudged lbw.

It was left for Lahiru Thirimanne to hit the winning runs, guiding Yasir through backward point for a boundary. He finished 20 not out with Mathews unbeaten on 43.

The third and final Test starts in Kandy on Friday, and the winner will climb to third in the ICC Test rankings. Pakistan are currently sixth with Sri Lanka seventh, and they will remain in those places if the match is drawn.

The P Sara Oval in Colombo has been a happy hunting ground for spinners in Test cricket. 

Unsurprisingly, Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker at the venue, per Howstat.com. His 52 scalps came at a cost of 23.81, and he took match figures of 12 for 225 against South Africa in 2006.

Rangana Herath—with 24 wickets—sits second on the list, still some way behind his compatriot, though it’s not just homegrown slow bowlers who have prospered.

Australian great Shane Warne picked up 11 wickets at an at average of 17.09, with a stunning strike-rate of 30.

Graeme Swann also enjoyed playing at the venue, taking 10 wickets, as too did fellow Englishman Derek Underwood—the latter claimed eight wickets in 55.4 overs.

The conditions at the ground favour spin—admittedly, that is hardly a surprise in Sri Lanka—but seamers can have a positive impact on matches there, too.

Sri Lanka may have thought that the slow-bowling combination of Herath and Tharindu Kaushal would be the key to their hopes of levelling the current Test series against Pakistan.

Instead, though, the most important contribution with the ball for the hosts has come from Dhammika Prasad.

The paceman—whose full name is Kariyawasam Tirana Gamage Dhammika Prasad—has picked up match figures of seven for 135, a new career best in the longest form of the game.

He knocked over Pakistan’s top order first time around, removing the top three, as the tourists were bowled out for 138, hardly the kind of score captain Misbah-ul-Haq had in mind when he won the toss and opted to bat first.

In the second innings, however, Prasad conjured up crucial wickets on a dry surface to make sure Sri Lanka did not waste a first-innings lead of 177.

Ahmed Shehzad was his first victim, caught behind for 69. Then, on day four, the 32-year-old dismissed Misbah—for a second time in the match—and Sarfraz Ahmed, exposing Pakistan’s lower order.

In the end, the visitors' innings was wrapped up by tea. Having bowled out their opponents for 329, an excellent effort considering Pakistan had at been 202 for two at one stage, Sri Lanka were left needing 153 to see the series finish 1-1. 

Bad weather denied them the chance to begin their chase in the evening session, but that should not unduly concern them.

If they go on to win, Prasad will have played a key role.

His international career has been hampered by spells on the sidelines, a blow not just to his statistics but also his own pocket, as ESPN Cricinfo's Andrew Fidel Fernando revealed: "Each injury has entailed a dip back into first-class circuit. This is not like playing county or shield cricket, where domestic cricketers have generous contracts and benefit seasons. Playing club cricket in Colombo often means working a second job."

He has played just 18 Tests since making his debut in 2008, but, with 10 wickets in the series, it seems the ever-willing bowler is now ready to cash in on his talents.

At the end of the second day of the second Test in Colombo, hosts Sri Lanka appear to be in a good position, ahead by 166 runs against Pakistan on 304 for nine.

However, having bowled their opponents out for just 138 on the first day, the home side will lament missing out on the chance to build an even bigger lead at this stage of the game.

Even worse, things looked very healthy indeed for the Sri Lankans when play began.

The hosts were 70 for one when they began, with Kaushal Silva and Kumar Sangakkara together at the crease and looking set to build a strong partnership.

As two of Sri Lanka’s better and more consistent batsmen, their team-mates would have looked to them to really get the scoreboard moving.

Unfortunately, it did not last as long as they would have hoped, as Sangakkara was caught by Asad Shafiq at long-on off Zulfiqar Babar in what was a wasteful dismissal for 34.

He was followed shortly after by Lahiru Thirimanne, who did not last long at the crease before being caught by Azhar Ali at short leg off Yasir Shah.

A strong partnership between Silva and captain Angelo Mathews looked to be righting the ship, but Silva was run out for 80 in a farcical fashion.

Silva went for a quick single, but Mathews was not prepared to risk it. The opener proceeded to slip over to compound the misery and departed with the score at 191 for four.

A minor collapse followed when both Dinesh Chandimal and Kithuruwan Vithanage fell cheaply, bowled by Shah as they both failed to make it beyond single figures.

What was especially galling was the manner of their dismissals, as Chandimal advanced down the pitch and only succeeded in yorking himself.

Then, Vithanage played an unnecessary reverse sweep and was bowled by a ball from Shah that turned enormously.

It was thus left to Mathews and Dhammika Prasad to haul Sri Lanka’s total in the right direction while the other bowlers played strong cameos to help out.

When Mathews was caught leg before wicket by Shah, the hosts were still short of 300, so they were forced to rely on Prasad and Tharindu Kaushal to take them past that milestone.

It was a day of missed opportunities for Sri Lanka, who are 166 runs ahead but could have given themselves a much bigger advantage.

Their batsmen were guilty of throwing their wickets away and would have been expected to do so much more on a pitch that offers assistance for the spinners but is decent for batting.

Sangakkara’s dismissal was indicative of a Sri Lanka team that needs to work out how to hold onto their wickets for longer and not give up any advantage they build up.

He would have wanted so much more from himself, especially in the twilight of such a glittering career.

A lead of 166 runs is not to be sneezed at, especially after Pakistan were bowled out for 138 in their first innings, but it could have been so much more.

Sri Lanka have an advantage, but it should be far greater at this stage.

Pakistan were skittled out for 138 on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Young off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal took 5-42 as the tourists were bundled out in 42.5 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat at the P Sara Oval.

2nd Test: Pakistan team bowled out for 138 runs in 1st innings. pic.twitter.com/rfcdiNBXTP

— PTV Sports Official (@PTVSp0rts) June 25, 2015

Sri Lanka reached 70-1 in their reply at the close, with opener Dimuth Karunaratne caught behind off Junaid Khan for 28.

Seamer Dhammika Prasad did the early damage, picking up the opening three wickets to fall.

Ahmed Shehzad was caught at slip for one in the third over, and Azhar Ali (26) was caught behind as Pakistan reached 70-2 at lunch.

Younis Khan, who became the fifth Pakistan player to reach 100 Tests, was also caught behind after making only six before Kaushal got in on the act.

100 Tests for Pakistan: Javed Miandad, Saleem Malik, Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan. #SLvPAK

— Cricket Record (@cricinfo_record) June 25, 2015

In only his second Test, the 22-year-old bowled opener Mohammad Hafeez for 42 and trapped Asad Shafiq lbw for two in his next over.

Misbah-ul-Haq is playing his 23rd consecutive Test as captain, leveling Pakistan's record. AH Kardar also led in 23 Tests on the trot.

— Mazher Arshad (@cricket_U) June 25, 2015

Two balls later, captain Misbah-ul-Haq (seven) was run out after a mix-up with Sarfraz Ahmed, and the keeper also perished, caught at slip off Kaushal for 14.

Kaushal went on to pick up his first five-for in Test cricket, with debutant Dushmantha Chameera claiming the other wicket, as Pakistan lost eight wickets in 19.5 overs after lunch.

Kaushal - in his debut Test against NZ, Christchurch - Match figures: 35-0-207-2 In his first spell at home: 10-0-30-4 #SLvPAK

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 25, 2015

Home openers Kaushal Silva and Karunaratne negotiated the opening 22 overs in Sri Lanka's reply before the latter gifted Junaid his 50th Test wicket with a loose shot.

However, Silva (21) and Kumar Sangakkara (18) saw the hosts through to stumps without further loss.

At the end of the fourth day in Galle, the first Test between hosts Sri Lanka and Pakistan appears to be petering out into a draw after rain washed out the entire first day.

However, it may not be that straightforward, as the hosts are 63 for two, still behind by 54 from the first innings and without Kumar Sangakkara and Kaushal Silva.

The pair are the two wickets to have fallen already—Silva caught by Azhar Ali off Wahab Riaz and Sangakkara caught by Ali off Yasir Shah—and leave quite a hole for Sri Lanka.

In the first innings, they were the only batsmen to pass 50 for the home side, with Silva grinding his way to 125 off 300 balls and Sangakkara scoring exactly 50 off 106.

Meanwhile, they had very little support, with no other player passing 25 in their team’s eventual total of 300 all out, an under-par score in spite of the weather.

That heavy reliance on the pair is troubling from Sri Lanka’s point of view, especially as they go into the second innings of the game with plenty still to do.

Pakistan are still ahead by 54 runs, which means the home side need to be sensible and careful with the bat, but they also need someone else to step up their game.

Dimuth Karunaratne was on 36 not out at the close, and after making this good start to his innings, the opener needs to push on and let his side build around him.

Alongside him is Dilruwan Perera, a talented bowler in as a nightwatchman but one who is capable of delivering with the bat.

His 95 against Pakistan early last year in Sharjah indicates what he is capable of, and Perera will be determined to produce more.

Moving down the batting order, the likes of Lahiru Thirimanne, Kithuruwan Vithanage and Dinesh Chandimal all have the ability to deliver.

None of them did so in the first innings, with Chandimal the highest scorer of the three with 23, and they will be hopeful of recovering from that disappointment.

Then, much will be expected of Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews, who also failed the first time around but remains one of his country’s superstars.

His bowling workload was light in Pakistan’s innings—six overs for 12 runs—so he should be in decent enough condition for a long knock of his own if called upon.

The game may well be moving toward a draw, but things are still a little precarious for Sri Lanka and could get worse if they are not careful.

They need to bat sensibly on this final day and ensure that Pakistan do not even have a sniff at victory, and someone other than Sangakkara or Silva must lead the way.

Kaushal Silva led the way for Sri Lanka as the hosts made steady progress on day two of the first Test against Pakistan in Galle.

The hosts reached 178-3 at stumps, after being put into bat at the Galle International Stadium, with Silva unbeaten on 80.

After Wednesday’s opening day washout, rain delayed the start by two hours but 64 overs were possible.

Sri Lanka reached 40-1 at lunch with Dimuth Karunaratne falling for 21 just before the break.

The left-handed opener attempted to pull Wahab Riaz but underedged it to Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps.

The hosts went through the afternoon session without further loss as 29-year-old Silva brought up his eighth Test half-century off 122 balls.

He shared a 112-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara who brought up his 52nd Test half-century from 103 balls.

However the veteran became a second victim for Riaz as his attempted drive only resulted in an outside edge to Younis Khan at slip.

Lahiru Thirimanne went cheaply as he attempted to hit spinner Mohammad Hafeez over the top but only succeeded in picking out Zulfiqar Babar at mid-on.

He departed for eight but Silva held firm, hitting 12 boundaries in his 197-ball innings, and has been joined at the crease by captain Angelo Mathews who finished 10 not out.

The teams are playing a three Test series with matches in Colombo and Pallekele to follow.

Sri Lanka take on South Africa at the World Cup on Wednesday with a vast amount of experience behind them.

Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan have a combined age of 112. Between them they have played 1,163 ODIs and have a cumulative total of over 36,000 ODI runs.

Sri Lanka have an impressive history in knockout World Cup matches having reached the final in the previous two tournaments. The three veteran batsmen were in both sides.  

This batting triumvirate has been the basis of Sri Lankan cricket for a decade. The side are undoubtedly reliant on their runs and their leadership. Over reliance on individuals can be a hindrance, but not in this case.

Despite their age, these players are far from fading stars. Sangakkara has already broken records by scoring four consecutive centuries at this World Cup. Dilshan is the fourth-highest run-scorer with 395 runs from six innings. Jayawardene has yet to contribute heavily, but he is a big-game player and averages 81 in six previous World Cup knockout games.

The phrase "form is temporary, class is permanent" is often repeated in cricket, but Sangakkara has paid no attention to such restrictions. The evergreen left-hander has had both attributes engraved in his play for several years.

His elegance allows him to score at a surprisingly brisk strike rate while maintaining complete composure at the crease. South Africa will know his wicket will be crucial to limiting runs.

However, the weight of class at the top of the Sri Lankan batting order means that a single wicket is rarely enough to stifle run scoring. Sri Lanka have managed four consecutive totals of over 300. If Sangakkara does not get you, it is likely another will.

Dilshan is also hitting exceptional form in his closing years of cricket. The 38-year-old has scored four ODI centuries in 2015, already equalling his best in a calendar year.  

496 - Kumar Sangakkara is the leading #CWC15 run-scorer. Here is the top 10. Race. @OfficialSLC pic.twitter.com/CTgJ7Xm6P9

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) March 16, 2015

Batting has definitely been the strongest aspect of the side so far at the tournament. And it has needed to be. The bowling attack has been wasteful, conceding too many runs against the better sides.

The talismanic Lasith Malinga remains dangerous with his low trajectory and mix of pace, but the second-string bowlers have leaked runs. The medium pace of Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera has been seized upon by opposition, who have generally scored freely.

In the group stages New Zealand and Australia—the two tournament favourites—managed hefty scores batting first and ultimately left their batsmen too much to do.

Australia’s daunting total of 376 will not have left Sri Lanka’s mind as it was accumulated at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where they will take on South Africa on Wednesday.

If Sri Lanka win the toss and bat first their in-form and experienced batting line-up could provide enough runs to protect their ailing bowling unit.

Sangakkara has reiterated that this tournament will be his last involvement in ODI cricket, per BBC Sport. But with his friends by his side, you would not bet against him continuing his amazing run of form against South Africa.

The three have been playing together for 15 years, but their importance to Sri Lankan cricket has never been greater.