Cricket: Five-star Junaid puts Pakistan on top

Pace-man takes maiden five-wicket haul, Sri Lanka bowled out for 197 in first Test.

ABU DHABI:

Left-arm fast-bowler Junaid Khan starred with a maiden five-wicket haul to help Pakistan bundle Sri Lanka out for a mere 197 on the first day of the opening Test.

The 21-year-old, playing in only his second Test, took five for 38 and was ably supported by pace partner Umar Gul (two for 37) and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (two for 56) after Pakistan put Sri Lanka into bat on a greenish Abu Dhabi stadium pitch. Pakistan finished the day at 27 for no loss, with Mohammad Hafeez on 17 and Taufiq Umar unbeaten on eight.

Sri Lanka, who were confidently placed at 51 for one at lunch, could never recover from the loss of six wickets for 65 runs between lunch and tea, as Khan produced a burst of three wickets in five deliveries.

Vice-captain Angelo Mathews cracked four boundaries and a six in a fighting unbeaten 52 to avoid total disaster, putting up the innings’ highest partnership of 54 with Suranga Lakmal, after Sri Lanka were tottering at 114 for seven.

Fast-bowler Aizaz Cheema (one for 51) had opened the gates by dismissing former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara (two) in the second over after lunch, forcing an edge off the left-hander which was smartly taken by wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal.

Opener Tharanga Paranavitana then gloved a short-pitched delivery off Gul to Akmal to leave the Islanders struggling at 79 for three. Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan added 33 with Paranavitana before Sri Lanka lost the way. Dilshan was unlucky to be given out, caught behind off Ajmal, when replays showed he clearly missed the ball.

Khan then ripped through the middle-order, dismissing Mahela Jayawardene (28), Prasanna Jayawardene (nought) and Rangana Herath (nought). He then returned for his third spell to take the last two wickets, getting Chanaka Welegedara (11) and debutant Nuwan Pradeep (one) to wrap up the innings.

Earlier, in the first session, Sri Lanka openers were cautious, as Misbah brought on Hafeez in the eighth over. But it was Ajmal who gave the breakthrough dismissing opener Lahiru Thirimanne for 20 before lunch.

Khan elated

The young fast-bowler was delighted at his performance.

“The ball was seaming and I’m happy that I played my part well, but all bowlers did bowl perfectly as you can’t get the whole team out with one man’s effort,” he said.

Mathews said getting out for a low score was disappointing.

“It was disappointing because the pitch was good for batting,” said Mathews. “Still, four days are left in this match so I’m sure we’ll stage a comeback.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2011.