Pakistan struggles

RAWALPINDI, FEB. 28. Saeed Anwer played a flawless captain's knock of 84 as Pakistan struggled to fight back against Sri Lanka on day three of the first cricket Test here today.

The home team was 154 for four at the close with Yousuf Youhana on six and nightwatchman Waqar Younis on nought at the crease. Pakistan needs another 17 runs to avoid an innings defeat. The host scored 182 in its first innings.

Anwer hit eleven 4s in his 280-minute vigil and consumed 218 balls but his departure two overs before close tilted the advantage back towards Sri Lanka.

Anwer and Inzamam-ul-Haq frustrated the Lankan attack but just when they looked set to see off the day Haq played a reckless shot and set his side back on its struggle.

Sri Lanka extended its lead to 171 runs in the morning and was dismissed for 353 in its first innings.

Anwer, a 31-year-old computer engineer, tried his best to wipe off the virus in Pakistan's batting with a defiant innings and hoped his colleagues would apply themselves to save the home team's embarrassment. ``Its up to the remaining batsmen and I am hopeful they have the capability to save us,'' Anwer said.

Pakistan lost opener Wajahatullah Wasti as early as in the fourth over when Pramodya Wickremasinghe took a brilliant catch at long leg off a Nuwan Zoysa bouncer. Pakistan lost its first wicket at nine and was 15 for one at lunch.

Anwer found a useful ally in Aamir Sohail and both saw off the one hour after lunch adding 42 runs.

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's introduction saw Sohail's departure at 72. The off-spinner forced Sohail to sweep and the miscued edge was taken by Mahela Jayawardene at silly point. Sohail's dour 24 lasted 103 minutes and included three boundaries.

- AFP

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Lara resigned due to lack of support, says Lloyd
Next     : I'am focussing on Test match: Ganguly