Kaneria turns the screws

Stumps Day 4
A six-wicket haul to legspinner Danish Kaneria put the lid on Sri Lanka's resistance as Pakistan edged closer to victory on day four. Despite outstanding centuries to Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara, Pakistan finished day well on top, with Sri Lanka leading by only 91 runs with three wickets in hand.

Jayasuriya began the day unbeaten on 97, and quickly completed formalities, bringing up his 14th test century. On day three he had surpassed Aravinda de Silva as Sri Lanka's all-time leading Test runscorer. He fell early, however, becoming Kaneria's second victim of the innings on 107 with a top-edged sweep. Sangakkara continued to perform admirably as Sri Lanka edged towards erasing the first-innings deficit.

Jayawardene made 32 before also falling to Kaneria, but Samaraweera ensured the Pakistan bowlers were made to toil with a laborious 22 from 130 deliveries. His resistance enabled Sangakkara at the other end to bring up his 7th Test century. Samaraweera fell with the score at 333 to Kaneria to break the deadlock and allow Pakistan's bowlers to attack the middle-order.

Sangakkara fell finally after a superb 138, granting Naved-ul-Hasan his first Test wicket, edging to 'keeper Kamran Akmal. With the middle order exposed, Kaneria continued to pose problems late in the day, the batsmen finding him nearly impossible to pick as Mubarak (2) and Kaluwitharana (7) fell. Vaas and Maharoof played out the last few overs, but will have to bat for substantially longer tomorrow if they are to retain hope of salvaging a draw.

Progress Score: Stumps Day 4

SRI LANKA (1st Inns) 208 all out in 82.1 overs
RS Kaluwitharana 54; Abdul Razzaq 5-35

PAKISTAN (1st inns) 478 all out in 137.1 overs
Younis Khan 124, Inzamam-ul-Haq 117

SRI LANKA (2nd Inns) 361/7 in 111 overs
KC Sangakkara 138, ST Jayasuriya 107; Danish Kaneria 6-102

Sri Lanka lead by 91 runs with three wickets in hand

Posted by Adam