Pakistan stumped against Sri Lanka

Pakistan appeared on course Sunday for a heavy defeat in the first Test against Sri Lanka, finishing the third day on 36-3 in their second innings and chasing an improbable target of 510.

Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara dismissed Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar at the Galle International Stadium. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath accounted for No. 3 batsman Azhar Ali on a wicket offering considerable help for spin bowlers.

Earlier Sri Lanka declined to enforce the follow-on after bowling out Pakistan in the morning session for 100 runs in their first innings, only 10 more than their lowest ever total against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, aware of bad weather forecasts for the final two days of the Test, quickly declared at 137-5, led by Tillakaratne Dilshan who smashed 56 runs off 58 balls with nine fours. Before being caught behind off Junaid Khan, Dilshan added 85 runs for the first wicket with Tharanga Paranavithana (25).

“It doesn’t seem right to me that in one series you can have it and in another you don’t” Pakistan cricket coach Dav Whatmore on Umpire Decision Review System

Dilshan appeared to glove Saeed Ajmal’s delivery to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal, but the appeal was turned down. In another disputed decision, Paranavithana was ruled leg before wicket for offering no stroke to off-spinner Ajmal, but the left-hander had taken several strides forward.

Earlier, resuming overnight on 48-5, Pakistan succumbed to Sri Lankan spinners as Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv took seven wickets between them.

Randiv finished with 4-13 while Herath claimed 3-30.

Younis Khan and newcomer Mohammad Ayub added 21 runs for the sixth wicket, but any chance of Pakistan staging a recovery was denied when Younis, Pakistan’s most experienced batsman, was ruled leg before wicket to Herath for 29.

Television replays showed that the former Pakistan captain had got a big inside edge.

Sri Lanka scored 472 in their first innings with Kumar Sangakkara on 199 not out.

In reaction to some of the decisions, Pakistan cricket coach Dav Whatmore questioned why the Sri Lanka hosts had not utilised the Umpire Decision Review System technology.

“I think the home board here had it against England, so why aren’t we having it here?” Whatmore said.

“It doesn’t seem right to me that in one series you can have it and in another you don’t.”