Pakistan Bowlers Dominate

Sangakkara made 78 as the
top order failed

Sri Lanka are not the awesome batting line up they once were as their stars begin to lose their lustre and find it difficult to shine, even on clear nights. On the opening day of the 2nd Test at Dubai, the top order again fell apart. Only Kumar Sangakkara withstood a moving ball and the determination of Umar Gul and the youngster Junaid Khan. Even Angelo Matthews could do little more than make a start and Sri Lanka had been reduced to 5-73 in 25 painful overs. Only Thirimanne who was lbw to a beauty from Gul could offer a viable excuse as the rest wafted catches to the men behind the wicket. Mishbah collected three of them at first slip.

Welegedara (48) made his
highest Test score

Sangakkara finally found a batting partner in Kaushal Silva, into the side for the injured Prasanna Jayawardene and they added 52 before spin gave Pakistan three wickets in ten overs, including Sangakkara for 78. A surprise 9th wicket 75 between Herath and Welegedara improved things for Sri Lanka but if Younis Khan could catch, Herath would have been out first ball. Younis couldn't catch a cold in a room full of viruses.

Gul and Junaid did the damage but the spinners mopped up on a good batting wicket.

Pakistan opened without a care in the world and have raced along at more than four an over. Even Taufeeq lost his head and has 20 from 36. Pakistan will look to bat aggressively and pile on the runs during the next two days against a Sri Lankan side that has its heads down, almost too embarrassed to look opponents in the eye. Dilshan Tillakaratne appears to have no answers and with Sangakkara playing only from pride and Mahela Jayawardene from memory, the younger players look out of their depth.

Pakistan continue to amaze. In the midst of scandal and outrage and with corruption so endemic that every dropped catch, every no ball, every soft dismissal gives rise to the threat of enquiry, they still manage to raise new young champions from the streets. If only the slime can be kept from them and a leader become brave enough to roar like Imran, they could be world champions again. 

If only.