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| 25 October 2004 | Monday | 10 Ramazan 1425 |
Herath steers Sri Lanka to massive win
FAISALABAD, Oct 24:Sri Lanka completed the demolition of Pakistan on Sunday, the last day of the first cricket Test at the Iqbal Stadium following another supine submission by coach Bob Woolmer's class of 2004.
The coach could do little to prevent the inevitable as he watched helplessly his batsmen succumb to the Sri Lankan might, the tourists achieving a well-deserved 201-run victory, 40 minutes after lunch.
It was Sri Lanka's sixth win out of nine Tests in Pakistan and put them 1-0 up in the two- match series with the second Test starting in Karachi on Oct 28.
The victory, Sri Lanka's biggest in terms of runs, was made possible on the last day by a fine effort from left arm spinner Rangana Herath, who picked up four wickets for 64 runs as the home side finished at 216 in 79.2 overs.
"It was a fantastic win in the sense the way we fought back after our first innings when we scored 243 runs which isn't a big score; but the way the guys fought back is remarkable," Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu said.
The writing was on the wall for the home team once Herath trapped Yousuf Youhana leg before in the 17th over of the morning after Pakistan had resumed their second innings at 114-4.
A world record equalling chase of 418 for victory was always going to be difficult for the shaky home batsmen and only a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket between Youhana and Shoaib Malik delayed the Sri Lankan victory somewhat.
Youhana, 23 not out at the start of Sunday's play fell for 44, missing out on what would have been his 22nd Test half century.
Abdul Razzaq was another Herath victim, going for a duck while Moin Khan was sent on his way by paceman Chaminda Vaas after barely having opened his account.
By lunch, Pakistan had inched to 170 for seven, requiring another 248 runs to avoid defeat with Malik still at the crease on 29 along with Sami who was 5 not out.
Malik, 3 not out overnight, hit out after the break to score a career-best 59 but with the main batsmen back in the dressing room, he could not hold on for too long single-handedly.
A brilliant catch taken by Herath off his own bowling ended Malik's innings after the batsman had stroked 11 fours in a 215 minute stay in the middle, facing 117 balls.
The tail was then quickly mopped up with Sami, Shoaib Akhtar and Danish Kaneria all falling in quick succession.
Shoaib, who had eight wickets in the match, struck one four and a six before being stumped by Romesh Kaluwitharna for 12.
Sri Lanka had gained firm control of the match after hitting up a mammoth 438 runs in the second innings, courtesy a Sanath Jayasuriya double century on the fourth day.
The tourists then piled on the agony for the hosts, with fast bowler Dilhara Fernando snaring 4-27 on Saturday that left Pakistan needing 304 runs for victory.
The Pakistan batsmen could not even match their first innings total of 264 and could add only 102 runs to their overnight total in what was another unimpressive batting display.
The reason cited for the defeat by captain Inzamamul Haq was excessive one-day cricket that his team has had to play before going into this Test which was Pakistan's first since April this year.
"This is not an excuse but it does make a difference switching quickly from the one-day mould," said Inzamam who himself could score only 35 runs in the match.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka (1st innings) 243 (T. Samaraweera 100, Shoaib Akhtar 5-60, Mohammad Sami 4-71)
Pakistan (1st innings) 264 (Yasir Hameed 58, Shoaib Malik 48; R. Herath 3-68)
Sri Lanka (2nd innings) 438 (S. Jayasuriya 253, K. Sangakkara 59, M. Jayawardene 57; Danish Kaneria 4-117)
Pakistan (2nd innings) (overnight 114-4)
Yasir Hameed lbw b Fernando 17
Imran Farhat lbw b Fernando 53
Asim Kamal b Fernando 1
Inzamamul Haq b Fernando 3
Yousuf Youhana lbw b Herath 44
Shoaib Malik c and b Herath 59
Abdul Razzaq lbw b Herath 0
Moin Khan c Kaluwitharana b Vaas 1
Mohammad Sami run out 6
Shoaib Akhtar st K'rana b Herath 12
Danish Kaneria not out 0
Extras: (b4, lb1, nb9, w6) 20
Total: 216
Fall of wkts: 1-59, 2-65, 3-86, 4-91, 5-154, 6-158, 7-159, 8-187, 9-215
Bowling: Vaas 16-4-54-1, Malinga 6-2-13-0, Herath 32.2-10-64-4, Fernando 20-3-77-4, Jayasuriya 4-2-2-0, Mubarak 1-0-1-0
Result: Sri Lanka won by 201 runs
Man-of-the-Match: Sanath Jayasuriya
Toss: Sri Lanka
Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZL), Steve Bucknor (WIS)
Tv umpire: Nadeem Ghauri (PAK)
ICC match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
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