Sri Lanka 245 for 2 (Sangakkara 112*, Dilshan 92) v Pakistan
After some painful days of Pakistan cricket outside the pitch, Pakistan showed their anguish by bowling at a lifeless pitch that was offering near nothing to the bowlers and Kumar Sangakkara and Tilikhartne Dilshan punished Pakistan with their batting of a 173 runs second wikcet partnership.
Dilshan showed his form after some lacklustre performances with the bat in the middle order in the previous Test. Umar Gul provided Pakistan with their first wicket catching the edge of a disappointed Paranvitana who also had a bad series with many low scores being the opener. But in form Sangakkara pushed Dilshan's confidence with some fine and patient hitting to create a good partnership despite a few dropped catches from the Pakistan fielders.
The spin wasn't proving much good either despite Saeed Ajmal removing Dilshan with an edge. The pitch was providing nothing. Kumar Sangakkara has been putting good performances and is continually doing so by adding a 4th century along with his 1 double century during the series. All he needs now is to take Sri Lanka to a big score with Mahela Jayawardene placing the ball skilfully to make this pair still dangerous to bowl at for the next day in Pakistan's terms.
New Zealand 426 (Guptill 109, Taylor 76, Brownlie 63, Mpofu 4-92) and 28 for 2 (Williamson 13*, Patel 4*) lead Zimbabwe 313 (Sibanda 93, Waller 72*, Vettori 5-70) trail by 141 runs
Zimbabwe let a few little mistakes take their toll after they conceded a 113 run lead to New Zealand after Daniel Vettori found some turn and low pace in the pitch to bag himself a 5 wicket haul.
Moments of collapse including where the tailenders and the middle order didn't find the rhythm to get themselves as close to New Zealand's score. Vusi Sibanda looked to have get his maiden hundred until he played a loose shot to get himself out and Zimbabwe had a big knock by the appearance of turn by Daniel Vettori.
Malcolm Waller and Regis Chakabhva looked like recovering Zimbabwe's domino effect of short partnerships and losing wickets by adding 6th wicket partnership of 86 but yet again, the middle order didn't get the rhythm from Waller and Chakabhva to hall themselves back up and 5 wickets for 28 runs to fall to 313.
But you can never rule out Zimbabwe as Ray Price and Kyle Jarvis, 2 spinners, dismissed the openers including the centurion, Martin Guptill. Kane Williamson and Jeetan Petal swept and gone in the attacking mood after seeing 2 wickets fall early.
Now it is anybody's game with the ball and bat for Zimbabwe and New Zealand after Zimbabwe clawed back the day with those 2 wickets in New Zealand's second innings so don't expect a favourite yet...
No comments:
Post a Comment