Ton-up Azhar Ali helps Pakistan to series-levelling win
Sharjah: Azhar Ali hit a brilliant hundred as Pakistan pulled off a thrilling win in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Sharjah today, levelling the series 1-1.
Set a daunting 302 to win in a possible 59 overs, Pakistan owed their successful chase to Ali's fifth Test century (103) as he and Misbah-ul-Haq shared a 109-run stand for the fifth wicket. Misbah, who finished with 68 not out, hit the winning single with nine balls to spare in fading light.
Ali, ironically dropped for the first two Tests, hit paceman Suranga Lakmal for a boundary, then twice took two to reach his hundred off 133 balls. He hit six boundaries before falling caught behind with just seven still needed to win.
Pakistan's chances seemed to have faded away at 107-3 at tea, as they needed 195 in the last 35 overs. But Ali upped the tempo during a rapid 89-run partnership in 14.5 overs with Sarfraz Ahmed (48) which left Sri Lanka on the defensive.
Even when Sarfraz was out, caught behind off paceman Shaminda Eranga, Pakistan needed 116. Sarfraz hit four boundaries and a six off 46 balls. But Misbah supported Ali as Pakistan achieved their second best chase in all Test cricket, behind the 314 they chased against Australia in Karachi in 1994.
Sri Lanka had won the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets while the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan had lost Ahmed Shehzad (21), Khurram Manzoor (21) and Younis Khan (29) as they were derailed in their chase.
Needing to score at a rate of more than five an over to win, Pakistan were given a rapid 35-run start by the sixth over but paceman Suranga Lakmal (3-79) halted that progress by dismissing openers Shehzad and Manzoor within 13 runs.
Younis Khan tried to increase the pace before being caught off Angelo Mathews two overs before tea, but the scenario changed in the last session.
With the series tied, Pakistan also remained unbeaten in five series in the United Arab Emirates, which has become their home since security fears -- sparked in the wake of attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009 -- forced them to play at neutral venues.
They twice drew series with South Africa (2010 and 2013) and beat Sri Lanka (2011) and England (2012). Misbah said Pakistan desperately wanted the win.
"That was really a much wanted win. We wanted the win it for our coach Dav Whatmore and wanted to give him a winning farewell," said Misbah of the team coach who ends his two-year tenure with this match.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews regretted batting failure. "We dominated for three-and-a-half days but unfortunately could not score big in the second innings and lost," said Mathews, declared man-of-the-series for his 412 runs in three Tests.
Earlier, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 214 in their second innings, with left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman finishing with 4-56 and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal taking 3-53, but not before their batsmen had kept Pakistan at bay on the morning of the fifth and final day.
On an exciting day when both teams had a chance of victory, Mathews (31) and Prasanna Jayawardene (49) shared a 62-run stand for the sixth wicket and batted positively to add 56 in the first hour after the tourists resumed at 133-5.
But Mohammad Talha gave Pakistan their much-needed breakthrough when he had Mathews caught off a miscued hook. Rehman then grabbed two quick wickets to put the brakes on Sri Lanka, having Dilruwan Perera caught at short-leg for eight before removing Rangana Herath for a first-ball duck.
Herath recorded a golden pair in the match as he was also dismissed first ball in the first innings. Prasanna hit six boundaries in his 88-ball knock before he was dismissed by Ajmal, who also removed Shaminda Eranga to wrap up the innings.
Critics, former players hail Pakistan's win over SL
Critics, former players hail Pakistan's win over SL
Karachi: For a change Pakistan captain Misbah-u-Haq and his men were hailed by critics, former players and fans after their unexpected victory over Sri Lanka in Sharjah today.
Misbah, who scored an unbeaten 68 in Pakistan's exciting win while chasing a target of 302 runs in the last two sessions of the third Test, was praised for motivating his young team to chase a big total and level the series after Sri Lanka won the second Test in Dubai.
"This victory is a turning point for Pakistan cricket and Misbah. It will give immense confidence to him and his team that they can do the improbable and nothing is impossible in cricket," former captain Rameez Raja said.
"Such victories only increase the self belief in a team and I think we are going to see this team play a more positive brand of cricket in future," he said.
Rameez said Azhar Ali who scored a century, wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed, who made a quickfire 48, and Misbah all deserved credit for the win. Misbah said after the Test that the team wanted to win it desperately to give a winning send off to their coach Dav Whatmore, who steps down next month after a two-year tenure.
Former captain and pacer Waqar Younis said Sri Lanka only had themselves to blame for the defeat as they had adopted a very defensive approach throughout the Test and paid the price for it.
"You don't draw or win matches by playing 60 maidens in an innings. This is a very special day and victory for Pakistan cricket. I think a number of players in this side have come of age today," he said.
Waqar said he was particularly impressed with the comeback of pacer Muhammad Talha, who took six wickets in the match, and the way Azhar Ali and Sarfaraz had responded to the pressure. "This victory is one of our greatest moments and it will change our outlook to the sport and Misbah needs to be appreciated for his captaincy as well."
Former captain Rashid Latif added: "This is definitely one of our great wins because it came against the odds. "I thought Misbah and the team management deserve full marks for believing in this team and pushing them to go for a win."
Former captain Wasim Bari said the victory was poetic justice as Sri Lanka had played negative cricket and waited for Pakistan to take the initiative. "Pakistan deserves all credit for seizing their opportunity. I think this victory shows we are a top cricketing nation and the passion we have for this sport despite all the odds we have fought against since the 2010 spot-fixing scandal," he said.
Former captain and coach Mohsin Khan said he was delighted that young players like Khurrum Manzoor, Ahmed Shahzad, Azhar, Sarfaraz and Talha had risen to the challenge. "This is our highest run chase in Test cricket since 1994 and it adds a new chapter and meaning to our cricket."
Pakistan ignores Razzaq from World T20 probables list
Pakistan ignores Razzaq from World T20 probables list
Karachi: Pakistan has axed experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from the preliminary list of 30 probables for the forthcoming World T20 in Bangladesh.
Though the selectors recalled discarded wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and former captain Shoaib Malik and also kept injured pacers Umar Gul and Muhammad Irfan in the preliminary squad, they ignored Razzaq who had to return home from South Africa in December due to an injury.
The experienced all-rounder had yesterday claimed that he still had two years of cricket left in him and was working hard on his fitness but the rest depends on the selectors.
Gul and Irfan have been retained despite not being considered for the recent Test series against Sri Lanka due to fitness issues while Kamran returns to the squad after sitting out since last year's Champions Trophy.
The selectors also announced the 15-member squad for the ICC Youth World Cup being held in UAE in March.
Probables: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmad Shahzad, Sharjeel Khan, Shahzaib Hasan, Nasir Jamshaid, Khurram Manzoor, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal (wicket-keeper), Harris Sohail, Yasir Arafat, Yasir Shah, Hammad Azam, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Shahid Afridi, Zohaib Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Bilawal Bhatti, Anwar Ali, Asad Ali, Ehsan Adil, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Zulfiqar Babar, Raza Hasan, Abdul Rehman, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper).
Pakistan under-19 squad: Sami Aslam (Capt), Inam ul Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Hasan Raza, Saud Shakil, Imran Rafiq, Ameer Hamza, Zia ul Haq, Irfanullah, Muhammad Aftab, Salman Saeed, Zafar Gohar, Karamat Ali, Saifullah Bangash, Muhammad Umair. Azam Khan (Coach) and Ali Zia (Manager).
