da cassino： Rawalpindi, Feb 27: A masterly century by Aravinda de Silva put SriLanka in a commanding position on the second day of the first Testagainst Pakistan here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday
Farhana Ayaz28-Feb-2000Rawalpindi, Feb 27: A masterly century by Aravinda de Silva put SriLanka in a commanding position on the second day of the first Testagainst Pakistan here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.De Silva’s 112 helped Sri Lanka reach 290 for eight at close of playto take a substantial lead of 108 on the first innings over Pakistan,who mustered 182 – their lowest at home against the tourists onSaturday.Chaminda Vaas (21) and Nuwan Zoysa (6) held the fort for the touristsat stumps despite Pakistan claiming four wickets in the final sessionof play.De Silva, who scored his eighth century against Pakistan and 18th in80 Tests, played the key role in giving Sri Lanka a decisive advantageover the depleted home side for the rest of this match.The 34-year-old right-hander, who played a chanceless innings, wasgiven excellent support by former captain Arjuna Ranatunga (49) in arecord fifth wicket partnership of 129 after Sri Lanka had slumped to117 for four shortly before lunch.There was more depressing news for Pakistan at the start of the secondday’s play when it was announced that the injured fast bowler WasimAkram will miss the remainder of the current Test.Sri Lanka resumed in the morning at 58 for two with the overnight pairRussel Arnold (23) and Aravinda de Silva (10) at the crease.Pakistan got a lucky break when the left-handed Arnold (26) providedWaqar Younis his third wicket of the innings after an addition of 11runs when wicket-keeper Moin Khan held an easy catch down the legside.? However, vice-captain Mahela Jayawardena’s arrival at thecrease changed the scenario quickly in Sri Lanka’s favour. The23-year-old right-hander played some exquisite strokes to score anattractive 42 off 55 balls.In fact, the seasoned de Silva became a silent spectator asJayawardena cracked five boundaries in a fourth wicket stand worth 48in 57 minutes. The exhilarating partnership came to an end whenJayawardena, sent back by non-striker Aravinda, was ruled run out byTV umpire Siddique Khan after the batsman made a valiant attempt tobeat Younis Khan’s throw to Moin from point.It was a close verdict in favour of Pakistan since TV replays fromside-on camera was obscured by Moin.In the same over, without any addition, the hardworking Abdur Razzaqwas denied his first Test scalp when Ranatunga fiddled at his thirdball but Moin floored an easy chest-high chance.That missed opportunity cost Pakistan dearly as de Silva and Ranatungabatted throughout the second session to add 76 to Sri Lanka’s lunchscore of 133.The two stalwarts, Sri Lanka’s leading scorers in Tests, batted inwatchful manner to take their side into the lead in a partnership thateclipsed the previous best against Pakistan for the fifth wicketbetween Ranatunga and Hashan Tillekeratne at Peshawar four years ago.Ranatunga, who hit four fours in a stay of 212 minutes while facing159 balls, was finally undone by the second new ball when Abdur Razzaqwas rewarded for his lion-hearted efforts.In fact, Razzaq, who came close to getting a split hat trick, strucktwice in successive deliveries. First he bowled Ranatunga of theinside edge and then Romesh Kaluwitharana (0) was adjudgedleg-before-wicket by umpire Athar Zaidi. ? De Silva, meanwhile,carried on in an uncharacteristic style, and duly completed hiscentury in 354 minutes off 263 balls with 11 fours with a sharpsingle.Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq secured the prized scalp of de Silva, whoplayed across the line to a straight delivery. De Silva’s marathon276-ball knock lasted 376 minutes and included 12 boundaries.Waqar finished the day with three for 71, Abdur Razzaq two for 90 andSaqlain two for 78.