Thursday, July 2, 2009

SLC XI v Pakistanis, Tour match, Colombo : Match Drawn

SLC XI 354 for 5 dec (Thirimanne 116, Kapugedera 115, Tharanga 50) and 137 for 2 dec (Paranavitana 48, Tharanga 44) drew with Pakistanis 400 for 8 dec (Fawad Alam 83, Manzoor 83, Butt 82, Suraj 4-120) and 54 for 4)

With little chance of an out-and-out result and rain threatening to mar proceedings, SLC XI captain Thilina Kandamby gave Pakistan their best shot at a win in the tour game, declaring at 137 for 2 and setting the visitors a tempting target of 83. However, a mini-collapse which saw Pakistan lose 4 for 29 put an end to the possibility of an outright result.

The Pakistanis would no doubt have their team strategy in place ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, with Fawad Alam looking in good touch and Salman Butt’s welcome return to form. With both Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq failing to impress, Fawad’s success gives Younis Khan a good selection dilemma.