Saturday, July 4, 2009

Pakistani bowlers dominate first day’s play

GALLE: Pakistan's new-look bowling attack dealt regular blows to get Sri Lanka all out for 292 runs on the opening day of the first cricket Test here on Saturday.The hosts were 104-3 at lunch and 194-5 after being sent in to bat by Pakistani captain Younus Khan on a wicket freshened up by early morning rain in this coastal town.Teenage fast bowler Mohammmad Aamir, seamer Abdul Rauf and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, all making Test debuts, responded to their skipper's gamble in brilliant fashion.Aamir claimed two wickets in his first three overs and Rauf chipped in with two more to leave the strong Sri Lankan batting tottering on the even-paced wicket at the Galle International Stadium.Left-handed opener Tharanga Paranavitana was Sri Lanka's saviour with 72, adding 75 for the third wicket with Mahela Jayawardene (30) and 43 for the fourth with Thilan Samaraweera (31).Later, debutant Angelo Mathews (42), Nuwan Kulasekara (38), Tillakaratne Dilshan (28) also made significant contributions to take their team to a respectable total of 292. Tail-ender Rangana Herath remained not out on 20.The 17-year-old Aamer, who was one of Pakistan's heroes in their triumphant World Twenty20 campaign in England last month, justified his Test debut at the expense of seasoned all-rounder Abdur Razzaq..