Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal joined the run feast with a scintillating unbeaten 158 as the high-scoring first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a draw here on Wednesday
Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal joined the run feast with a scintillating unbeaten 158 as the high-scoring first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a draw here on Wednesday.
Pakistan declared their first innings for 765 for 6, 121 runs ahead of Sri Lanka's total and the visitors made 144 for five from 31 overs in their second essay on the fifth and final day at the National Stadium here.
The result of the match on the flattest of pitches was a foregone conclusion and the only interest left on the final day was whether captain Younis Khan would get past legendary Pakistani Hanif Mohammad's 337 or West Indian Brian Lara's world record highest innings score of 400 not out. But Younis' dismissal early in the morning with the addition of just seven runs to his overnight 306 left almost nothing at stake before Akmal's entertaining innings. Younis, who became the only third Pakistani to hit a triple century, not only failed to get past Mohammad's record but also fall short of Inzamam-ul-Haq's 329.
Akmal and Yasir Arafat (50 not out) added 169 for the sixth wicket in 38.3 overs before Pakistan declared their innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 644 for seven declared.
There was little to play for Sri Lanka in their second innings but they placed themselves in a spot of bother by losing three wickets for 45 in only their seventh over. Kumar Sangakkara (65) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (22), who made a double century in first innings, then shared a 58-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 75 balls to steady the Sri Lanka innings.
Younis, who began the day 31 runs short of Mohammad's 337, the highest individual score by a Pakistan batsman, was bowled by Dilhara Fernando for 313 to the disappointment of the small crowd. The Pakistani captain was surprised by the movement of the Fernando delivery. The ball landed short of a length outside off stump before cutting back quickly to beat his defensive poke and crash into the stump.
Younis, who was congratulated by the Lankan fielders as he walked back to the hut, batted for 836 minutes, the third longest Test innings in terms of minutes behind Hanif (970) and Gary Kirsten (878). He had hit 27 fours and four sixes in his 568-ball innings.
Akmal continued Pakistan's strong reply even as Jayawardene used an assortment of irregular bowlers like Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Malinda Warnapura. The wicketkeeper-batsman reached 158 off only 184 balls (eight fours and five sixes) before Younis finally declared on 765 for six.
Umar Gul lifted Pakistan with an early strike in the Lankan second innings, inducing an edge from Malinda Warnapura (2). Tharanga Paranavitana (9) was then run out by a direct hit before Dilshan pulled a bouncer from Gul straight to deep square leg as the visitors slumped to 45 for 3. Gul returned figures of 2 for 41 while leg-spinner Danish Kaneria claimed both Sangakkara and Jayawardene and conceded 35 runs.
The second and final Test starts on March 1 in Lahore.
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