‘A’ Test witnesses 22 wickets on opening day

Pakistan ‘A’ batting line-up exemplified poor performance.

KARACHI:
Pakistan ‘A’ batting line-up exemplified poor performance after they failed to take the lead against Sri Lanka ‘A’ on the first day of the second Test.

Sri Lanka, left to rue their poor batting display after scoring 97 in the first innings, then had their revenge as Pakistan were bundled out for 94 before the hosts reached 43 for two in their second innings.

Earlier, fast-bowler Junaid Khan did most of the damage as he grabbed two wickets in the first over of the match, sending Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal back to the pavilion. He later added the brace of captain Thilina Kandamby and Tharanga Lakshitha.

Sri Lanka’s highest partnership was just 39 with Jeevan Mendis scoring the highest 40 runs in the innings before Hammad Azam dismissed him. If the damage by Junaid was not enough, Azam grabbed four wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for a low score.


Unlike their bowling, the visitors had little luck with the bat, losing their first wicket in the first over. Off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake caused the most damage as he finished with six for 19 while Suranga Lakmal took the other four to send Pakistan packing.

Pakistan captain Azeem Ghumman failed with the bat yet again, managing just a single, as did the other opener Khurram Manzoor. Surprisingly, tail-ender Mohammad Rameez was the highest scorer with 16.

However, Pakistan celebrated at the end as Junaid sent the openers back, leaving Sri Lanka at 43 for two.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2010.
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