The Hindu : Sri Lanka loses way after Jayasuriya's attack

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 09, 2002

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Sport - Cricket

Sri Lanka loses way after Jayasuriya's attack

Sharjah April 8. Pakistan overcame a blistering knock from Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya to keep its rival down to 242 for nine from 50 overs in the Sharjah Cup opener here today.

Jayasuriya, who won the toss and elected to bat, hammered 87 off 78 balls before Pakistan fought back with quick wickets in the middle overs and towards the end.

Sri Lanka was losing its way at 128 for four in the 25th over, but Russell Arnold hit a valuable 57 to boost the total in the day-night International. Arnold put on 43 for the fifth wicket with Romesh Kaluwitharana and 52 off 42 balls for the sixth with Upul Chandana (30).

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking three for 30 in his 10 overs.

Jayasuriya, who smashed 10 boundaries and three sixes in his whirlwind innings, hit 22 runs in one over from Abdul Razzaq. He gave a chance at 72 when he pulled Razzaq to deep square-leg where Yousuf Youhana spilled an easy catch. Jayasuriya scored at a brisk pace even as his partners fell cheaply at the other end.

Kumar Sangakkara managed just 10 in a nine-over opening stand of 50 with Jayasuriya, who dominated the strike to score 36.

Marvan Atapattu (6) was caught behind trying to hook Akhtar while Mahela Jayawardena (8) fell to an uppish on-drive off Razzaq which was taken at mid-wicket.

Jayasuriya missed his 12th one-day century by 13 runs when he was finally dismissed in the 25th over, edging an outswinger from Razzaq to wicket-keeper Rashid Latif.

Sri Lanka then lost its last four wickets for 16 as Pakistan set itself a target of 4.9 runs an over.

New Zealand is the third team in the $ 250,000 tournament.

— AFP

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