Murali back with a bang; Sri Lanka take 1-0 lead

By pratik
for Cricketain.com

Published: July 31, 2009

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Dambulla: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 36 runs in the first one dayer of the 5-match series and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Defending a modest total of 232, fast bowlers Thilan Thushara and Nuwan Kulasekara ripped through the Pakistan top order before the lower order provided some resistance but it was always going to be difficult once they had lost more than half their team for less than 100.

Left arm seamer Thilan Thushara took 3-29 and Kulasekara took 2-30 as Pakistan struggled right from the beginning chasing 233 for a win and were bowled out for 196 in 44.4 overs. Pakistan, who have already lost the test series 2-0, were reeling at 134 for 8 before Umar Gul and Mohammad Aamer provided some resistance and put on 62 for the 9th wicket. Gul was the top scorer for Pakistan with 33 off 21 balls while Aamer made 23.

Earlier, Sri Lanka recovered themselves after a top order failure to post a fighting 232-9. The hosts, after being sent in to bat by Pakistan, collapsed to 131-6 by the 34th over before Angelo Matthews (43), with the help of the lower order, led a late revival. The last four wickets added 101 runs for Sri Lanka with 54 runs coming off the batting power play.

Matthews was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka. He made 43 before giving a return catch of his own bowling to Mohammad Aamer. But surprisingly, Sri Lankan innings was provided a real boost by none other than Muttiah Muralitharan.

Muralitharan, who is known by one and all for his bowling prowess, showed that he is no mug with the bat making a superb 15-ball 32. He was finally bowled by Mohammad Aamer who made a thrilling debut to one day cricket. He ended with figures of 3-45. But Murali wasn’t done yet! He went on to take 2-46 when he bowled and was named the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.

In reply, Pakistan was struggling at 134-8 with all the top batsmen back in the pavilion. But Umar Gul and Mohammad Aamer gave them a glimmer of hope by putting on 62 runs for the ninth wicket. The pair had taken the total to 196-8 when both batsmen fell in the space of two deliveries to hand Sri Lanka the lead in the five-match series. Aamir was run out by a direct throw from Mahela Jayawardene, before Gul was bowled by Malinga next ball.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara praised the depth in his team, but conceded they had almost given it away during the stand between Gul and Aamir.

“We let it get away a bit at the end, perhaps we got a bit complacent,” said Sangakkara. “But it was a team effort all the way. I am proud to have such depth of talent and ability in the dressing room.”

Pakistan captain Younis Khan blamed the batting failure, saying the top order needed to stay at the wicket and forge partnerships.

“I thought we bowled very well and 232 should not have been a difficult total to chase, but the batting let us down,” said Younis. “I hope we learn from our mistakes and must bat better in the remaining matches. If Gul and Aamir can do it, there is no reason why the specialists can’t.”

The second match will be played at the same venue on Saturday.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka 232 for 9 (Mathews 43, Murali 32, Aamer 3-45) beat

Pakistan 196 (Gul 33, Thushara 3-29, Kulasekara 2-30, Murali 2-46) by 36 runs.

Man of the Match: Muttiah Muralitharan.

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