Sanga’s century helps Lanka to pile up 302 for 7

Chris Dhambarage from pakistan

Vice captain Kumar Sangakkara hit a flawless century as the defending champions Sri Lanka piled up a competitive 302 for 7 in their six nation Asia Cup tournament Super Four match against Pakistan worked off under lights at the National Stadium in Karachi yesterday.

The stylish left hander played the sheet anchor role and carried Sri Lanka into a commanding position after Shoaib Malik had won the toss and elected to field. But Sangakkara got his act together well from the start and decided to play a long innings while keeping one end occupied for a top score of 112 his second century in this tournament.

The Lankans of course could not make an explosive start to their innings with the first five overs producing only 25 runs. The main reason was the early dismissal of veteran Sanath Jayasuriya who departed in the fifth over.

The dashing left hander survived a close leg before decision in the very first ball of the innings off paceman Sohail Tanvir who however took revenge by striking a crucial blow in his second over. Skipper Mahela Jayawardena joined Sangakkara and the pair steadied the innings with a second wicket stand of 40 runs from 56 deliveries.

Skipper Jayawardena was well set for a big score having stroked five boundaries before becoming Sohail Tanvirs second victim in the 14th over.

However Chamara Kapugedera who was promoted in the batting order once again lived upto expectations by hoisting two sixes and a couple of boundaries during his entertaining knock.

Sangakkara was prepared to play the supporting role during his third wicket partnership of 88 runs from 92 deliveries with Kapugedera. This pair laid the foundation for a formidable total while maintaining a healthy run rate mid way in the innings.

Sangakkara found another good partner in Chamara Silva and the pair consolidated the position with a vital fourth wicket stand of 93 runs from 83 balls. Chamara Silva who was struggling with the bat in the earlier games made a run a ball 46 with the help of five boundaries.

Sangakkara took over the main role thereafter and completed his one hundred in the 43rd over from just 96 deliveries inclusive of one six and nine boundaries. He batted equally well against the pacemen as well as against the spinners before throwing his wicket away in an attempt to accelerate the scoring rate.

The Sri Lanka innings was also boosted by a quick fire 28 off 20 deliveries by Thilina Thushara who performed his role quite effectively by hoisting one six and stroking a couple of boundaries during the latter stages of the innings.

Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers while capturing his maiden five wicket haul. Sri Lanka brought in their three key players Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan and left out Dilhara Fernando.

Karachi, Sunday

SRI LANKA:

S. Jayasuriya lbw b Tanveer		  8
K. Sangakkarab Tanveer			112
M. Jayawardenec Misbah b Tanveer	 29
C. Kapugederac Younus b Amjad		 43
C. Silvac Sarfraz b Tanveer		 46
T. Thusharac Riaz b Tanveer		 28
T. Dilshanb Riaz			  8
C. Vaasnot out				  4
N. Kulasekeranot out			  1
Extras: (lb10, nb2, w11)		 23
Total:(for seven wkts in 50 overs)	302

Did not bat: M. Muralitharan A. Mendis
Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Jayasuriya), 2-62 (Jayawardene), 3-150 (Kapugedera), 
4-243 (Silva), 5-271 (Sangakkara), 6-288 (Thushara), 7-298 (Dilshan)
Bowling: Tanveer 10-1-48-5 (2nb, 6w), Riaz 9-0-52-1 (2w), 
Iftikhar 8-0-60-0, Afridi 10-0-54-0 (1w), Malik 5-0-34-0, Amjad 8-1-44-1