Pakistan’s batsmen had put in a scratchy display in the Sharjah Cupopener, but today they got their act together, chasing down a target of 224 toregister their second win in consecutive days

S Rajesh04-Apr-2003Pakistan’s batsmen had put in a scratchy display in the Sharjah Cupopener, but today they got their act together, chasing down a target of 224 toregister their second win in consecutive days. The win gave Pakistanfivepoints to add to the six they took yesterday, making them firm favouritestoreach the final.It was a splendid performance by a team which, just a few weeks ago,lookedcompletely dispirited and beaten. The inclusion of young playersinjected aspark and vitality which transformed Pakistan in the field. DespiteKumarSangakkara’s spunky century – his first in one-day internationals – SriLanka managed just 223 after winning the toss. Then, Yousuf Youhana(64 notout) and Younis Khan (57 not out) clinically won the match withcommon-sensebatting, putting together 124 for the fourth wicket at better than a run aball.Sri Lanka had an excellent opportunity to nip the partnership longbefore itassumed alarming proportions. Youhana, on 10, lofted SanathJayasuriya tolong-on, where Jehan Murabak spilled a regulation catch. Youhanacelebratedby sweeping the next ball for four, and from there on, there was onlyoneteam which looked like winning.The foundation for Pakistan’s run-chase was laid by a circumspect76-runsecond wicket partnership by Mohammad Hafeez and Faisal Iqbal,after TaufeeqUmar was bowled by a Dilhara Fernando special which pitched on offandstraightened (21 for 1). Hafeez was particularly impressive with hisdefensive technique, handling the seamers and Muttiah Muralitharanwith anease which belied the fact that he was only in his second ODI.Then, both of them departed in a three-ball period, courtesy tworun-outs.First, Hafeez – after reaching a well-controlled half-century – wasstrandedwhen he played to mid-on and Faisal refused a single (97 for 2). A balllater, it was Faisal’s turn to be sent back, when Youhana nudged a balltomidwicket and stayed in the crease. Marvan Atapattu’s throw at thebowlers’end dismissed Faisal for 32, but that brought Pakistan’s seniorbatsmen tothe crease.Both Youhana and Younis took the attack to the bowlers with powerfulhitsand cleverly placed singles. They were also aided by the dew in theoutfield, which significantly hampered the effectiveness of the SriLankanspinners. Muttiah Muralitharan was economical, but hardly got theusualprodigious turn.Earlier, Sangakkara’s hundred lit up an otherwise disappointing battingeffort by Sri Lanka. It was Sri Lanka’s first match since Aravinda deSilvaretired, and with Mahela Jayawardene left out, the onus was largely onJayasuriya and Atapattu to deliver. They failed, but Sangakkara’sspunkyhundred – his first in one-day internationals – averted completehumiliation.Being asked to field first against a powerful batting line-up on a placidpitch was a daunting task, but Pakistan’s bowlers showed superbcontrol, andthe fielders – led by Hafeez patrolling the covers – ensured thatPakistannever lost their grip on the game.Pakistan’s alertness in the field was exemplified early on by anexcellentpiece of captaincy to remove Atapattu for 13. Atapattu creamed atypicallyfluent cover-drive off Umar Gul, then found the gap pluggedimmediately, asRashid Latif removed the slip and strengthened the off-side cordon.Twoballs later, Atapattu attempted to chop the ball, and only managed aninsideedge onto his stumps (26 for 1).Jayasuriya (27) was seldom given width to play the crashing drivesthroughcover, and when Sami did throw one wide, Jayasuriya slammed itstraight toHafeez at cover (44 for 2). Sangakkara shared useful partnerships withAvishka Gunawardene, Mubarak and Hashan Tillekeratne, but none ofthemstayed long enough to put Sri Lanka in charge.Naved-ul-Hasan, the medium-pacer in his debut match, then got intothe actwith wickets off consecutive yorkers. Tillekeratne – the fifth left-handerin Sri Lanka’s top six – was the first victim, while PrasannaJayawardenefared no better than his namesake, with a first-ball duck (166 for 6).Kumar Dharmasena saw off the hat-trick ball, and then stitchedtogether acrucial 57-run stand off just 48 balls with Sangakkara, who played asplendid, measured innings. On a slow pitch, he nurdled the singlesearlyon, eschewing risks and yet scoring at a busy rate – with wickets fallingregularly at the other end, there was little room for cavalierbatsmanship.Then, in the last overs, he opened out with straight-drives and pulls.Sangakkara started the last over on 94, smashed Sami over point forfour,and then dabbed a single to leg to reach a well-deserved century. In theend, his one-man show was forced to yield to Pakistan’s allroundefficiency.