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Lanka sweat as Pakistan accumulate

The paucity of the Sri Lankan attack -- temporarily hidden while the side accumulated maximum bowling bonus points in the league fixture in Lahore -- was very much in evidence at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka on day two of the Asian Test Championship final against Pakistan.

Lanka's problems were two-fold -- the medium pace-oriented attack of Chaminda Vaas, Sajeewa D'Silva and Pramodaya Wickremasinghe did not have the bite needed on a track baked hard and flat by the fierce sun. And neither Upul Chandana, the sole spinner in the Lankan ranks, nor part-timers Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene and Aravinda D'Silva, had the skills needed to test a Pakistan batting lineup weaned on quality spin.

The problems were worsened by injury to 'keeper Kaluwitharana. Hashan Tillekeratne, donning the gloves as substitute, was tidy enough, but noticeably slow reacting to clear edges on as many as three seperate occasions. Aiding and abetting Tillekeratne were the rest of the fielders who, between them, failed to get their hands to at least 8 clear chance.

Lanka's sole success in the morning session thus came when Sajeewa D'Silva managed to get Wajahat Wasti edging to Jayawardene at second slip, getting rid of the opener who, in the league game in Lahore, had weighed in with a century in each innings.

What the Lankans did manage to do was to keep the runs down with disciplined line and length bowling. Saeed Anwar, normally a free-flowing stroke-maker, was a touch below his usual self in the circumstances, as he ground his way to another Test fifty before his innings ended in a rather tame fashion, with a simple return catch to Arnold who held one back on the left-handed opener.

That brought Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam ul Haq together in a partnership that was a study in contrasts. Ijaz looked vulnerable on the pull, playing the shot repeatedly with feet anchored firmly, using sheer force to propel the ball through the leg side. The Lankans fed the shot hoping for the mistake -- but when it did come, the fielders lacked the necessary alacrity in getting to the chances. Once over his initial nerves, Ijaz powered his way to a century, settling down to play as late as he could, and hitting the bad balls with power and some precision.

Inzamam for his part looked a shadow of his usual self, struggling for the touch that is a hallmark of his batting when he is on song. The feet stayed static initially, the bat seemed to have more than its share of edges. However, Inzamam weathered both the heat, and the bowling, to grind out the day, his batting notable more for the patience and tenacity of his vigil than for any electric strokeplay, in company of Ijaz.

Ominously for the Lankans, both batsmen had begun stroking much better towards the latter part of the day. During this period, the Pakistan run rate, which at tea time stood at a very low 2.27 per over, was gradually upped to above the 3 rpo mark.

When play ended for the day, Pakistan had made 299/2 in exactly 100 overs, giving Pakistan a 68-run lead at the end of day two, with eight wickets still standing. The unbeaten third wicket partnership had realised 182 runs at that stage.

If Pakistan, with a solid platform under its feet, can really make a push for the runs on the third day, with the aim of putting up an imposing lead before pushing for an outright win, the whole question of bonus points will become irrelevant.

However, at this point, the bonus points still play a part in the proceedings -- so the interesting news, on that front, is that Pakistan on the day failed by just one run to get three bonus points, ending on 299 in the allotted 100 overs. More importantly, the third wicket partnership denied Lanka the consolation of even a single bonus point with the ball, so at this point in time, Pakistan are well ahead and there are no further bonus points on offer.

The tally at this point is Pakistan 6 (four bowling plus two with the bat) as opposed to Lanka 2 (both with the bat).

Theoretically, therefore, this game can only have one possible result -- a Pakistan win. Either outright, or on bonus points if the actual game ends in a draw.

This being the case, the stands -- markedly underpopulated today -- could be even more deserted over the three days of play that remain in the game.

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