Sangakkara, Mendis class acts

Chris Dhambarage from pakistan

Sri Lanka boosted by a chanceless century from Kumar Sangakkara and a four wicket haul from Ajantha Mendis increased their chances of qualifying for the final while completely outplaying the hosts Pakistan by 64 runs in their six nation ACC Asia Cup tournament Super Four match played under lights at the National Stadium in Karachi on Sunday.

Vice captain Sangakkara dropped anchor from the start to play a responsible innings as the defending champions rattled up huge 302 for 7 and then restricted their opponents for 238 for 9 from their 50 overs.

The Sri Lankan innings was built around by Sangakkara›s superb knock of 112 which was his second hundred in the tournament.

The wicket keeper batsman who went on to win the man of the match award also figured in some important partnerships with skipper Mahela Jayawardena, Chamara Kapugedera and Chamara Silva with all helping the team to build up a match winning total after they had been put into bat by the Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik. Pakistan’s hopes of then overtaking that total was completely shattered by Ajantha Mendis who snapped up three key wickets during his first spell of eight overs.

The mystery spinner mesmerized the Pakistan top order with another fine spell of bowling after paceman Chaminda Vaas had struck in the very first ball of the innings.

Mendis continued to frustrate the opposition and went on to pick up the wickets of Shoaib Malik and newcomer Mansoor Amjad to leave Pakistan at 153 for 6 by the 36th over.

In between Sanath Jayasuriya snapped up the wicket of hard hitting Shahid Afrridi following a good catch by substitute Jehan Mubarak.

However Misbha ul Haq wagged a lone battle for Pakistan as he added 66 runs for the seventh wicket with Amjad Ahmed.

Mendis came back to bowl his second spell in the 45th over and delivered the final nail by removing Misbha ul Haq to finish with nine wickets while playing in his third match of the tournament so far.

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Quality spinners do it - Mahela

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena said that the presence of two quality spinners was the key area and the main reason for his team’s 64 run win against Pakistan in their six nation Asia Cup tournament match played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Sunday.

Jayawardena said that with Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan in the line up they were confident of defending the total although Pakistan did cause some anxious moments during the early stages of the innings.

The Sri Lankan captain believed that Mendis has now matured into a match winning bowler and his four wicket haul following his spell of five wickets against the United Arab Emirates team proved his consistency and accuracy.

Jayawardena said that he was rather surprised when they were put into bat by the Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik on a placid wicket.

Sri Lanka then fully exploited the fresh conditions with man of the match Kumar Sangakkara stroking his second one hundred of the tournament.

Jayawardena said that Sangakkara›s innings was a crucial one because they needed someone to occupy the crease until the end.