Monday 25 June 2012
"Younis and Shafiq resist"
Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 1st Test, Galle, 4th day
Lunch Pakistan 100 and 108 for 4 (Shafiq 36*, Younis 34*) need another 402 runs to beat Sri Lanka 472 and 137 for 5 dec
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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| Asad Shafiq looked solid before lunch |
Pakistan had their best session of the match as Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq kept the Sri Lankan attack at bay before lunch on the fourth day in Galle. Their resistance made little
difference to the overall match situation as Pakistan still remain more than 400 runs away from victory, and five sessions away from safety.
Pakistan's only casualty in the morning was the nightwatchman Saeed Ajmal, run-out in the second over of the day after a direct hit by Suraj Randiv from cover. An early finish to the game looked on the cards when Younis started to walk off after seemingly holing out to mid-off, but there was some doubt over whether Tillakaratne Dilshan had got his fingers under the ball as he took a low catch. It was hard to tell from the replays, and Younis was given the benefit of the doubt.
The only other clear-cut chance in the session for Pakistan was when Kumar Sangakkara put down a tough catch at midwicket off Shafiq ten minutes before lunch. There were a few mild lbw appeals, and Shafiq's french-cut for four early in his innings, but for the most part, Younis and Shafiq were more comfortable than any other Pakistan pair has been this match.
They didn't go into a defensive shell, looking to score even though the target was well out of sight. Younis used the sweep shot, mostly the conventional version but on one occasion the reverse as well. Shafiq capitalised on the deliveries bowled on his pads, and also pulled out some hard-hit lofted shots as Sri Lanka's bowlers were made to wait for a breakthrough longer than they have had all match.
Sri Lanka won't be too demoralised though, as they still remain firmly in charge, and batting isn't going to get any easier as the match progresses.
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