April 13 Saturday 2002
Sri Lanka surprise Pakistan in Sharjah Cup thriller

SHARJAH: Sri Lanka managed to win the battle of nerves as they defeated Pakistan by a thrilling margin of nine runs in their fourth match of Sharjah Cup here late Friday night.  Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka had posted 239 for the loss of six wickets in their stipulated 50 overs. Pakistan batsmen started the run-chase in typical fashion as opener Shahid Afridi was the first man to go without scoring.

SHARJAH: Sri Lanka batsman Marwan Atapattu prepares to hit a four as Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif looks on during the Sharjah Cup match on April 12, 2002

He was caught by Muttiah Muralithran off the bowling of Nuwan Zoysa. 

Next to go was Imran Nazir who lost his wicket through a superb throw from Upul Chandana. But before getting out he had added 72 useful runs for the second wicket while playing with Yousuf Youhana. 

Imran consumed 70 deliveries and struck four boundaries in his knock of 34. Soon after the departure of Imran, Pakistan lost Youhana who scored 38 runs before getting out leg-before off Charitha Buddika. His innings included 64 deliveries and three boundaries. Following these early dismissals, Pakistan's chances of winning the match had diminished but vice-captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq played the role of a sheet-anchor as he played sensibly to add 85 runs for the fourth wicket in association with Younis Khan who scored 45 runs off 55 balls including three boundaries and two sixes. Inzamam scored 38 runs off 62 deliveries and struck two fours and a six. 

He was removed off a wonderful caught and bowled effort made by Upul Chandana. Veteran allrounder, Wasim Akram and wicketkeeper-batsman, Rashid Latif tried their level-best to steer Pakistan to a victory but failed to do so. Wasim remained unbeaten on 36 punctuated with four boundaries and a six off 29 deliveries, whereas, Rashid was playing on 11. Charitha Buddika, Nuwan Zoysa and Upul Chandana took one wicket apiece by giving away 39, 30 and 42 runs respectively. 

Earlier, Pakistan let Sri Lanka off the hook before a full house.

Having made Sri Lanka reeling at 4 for 41 in 10.1 overs, undisciplined bowling allowed man of the match, Marvan Atapattu to anchor a remarkable Sri Lankan recovery as he figured in two substantial partnerships. That allowed Sri Lanka to finish with 239 for 6. 

Atapattu (77 off 109 balls) put on 91 in 138 balls with Russel Arnold and then 107 from only 105 balls with Upul Chandana, who rode his luck to produce a gem of an innings of 64 from 58 balls with nine fours. It was an onslaught that completely rattled the Pakistanis as they lost control of the proceedings in the last 15 overs.

Atapattu, always a source of bother for Pakistan, played beautifully to first steady the innings and then allow Chandana to strike as Sri Lanka added 70 runs in the last 10 overs. That was a great fightback from them given they were struggling at 4 for 41 as Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram rocked the top-order with two wickets apiece. Wicketkeeper Rashid Latif had a hand in three of these dismissals, including a brilliant one-handed take on his right to get rid of the dangerous looking Sanath Jayasuriya.

It was Jayasuriya's dismissal on the fifth ball of the sixth over that triggered the top-order collapse as the two veteran Pakistan pacers swung the new ball considerably.

While Wasim was in his elements in a brilliant first spell of 7-3-11-2 that saw him completing 450 wickets in One-day Internationals in his 327th match, Waqar showed a lot of courage to come back from a hammering from Jayasuriya. 

Jayasuriya went after Waqar in his first two overs which produced 18 runs including three fours. The Sri Lankan skipper blasted 23 off 24 balls. Waqar got the revenge in his third over when he produced an incutter to send the middle stump crashing.

In his next over, Waqar sent makeshift opener Romesh Kaluwitharana back, Rashid taking a brilliant catch which left everyone stunned. Sri Lanka at this stage had slipped to 2 for 40 in eight overs.

Wasim then got into the act from the other end having tested the batsmen in his first four overs. He beat Kumar Sangakkara (five) and Mahela Jayawardene (one) in his fifth and sixth over with perfect outswingers to allow Rashid to complete the treble. The Sri Lankans at this stage had crashed to 4 for 41 and were in deep trouble.

The day saw two milestones being reached. First, English umpire David Shepherd became the second umpire to stand in 100 One-day Internationals, and later Wasim earned his 450th scalp when he had Sangakkara caught behind. Wasim's was a notable feat given that no bowler in contemporary cricket has even completed 400 wickets in One-day Internationals. The closest being his new-ball partner Waqar, who finished the innings with 369.

Earlier, Arnold gave Atapattu excellent support for the fifth-wicket stand, as he picked on the bowling of Abdul Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq and then Shahid Afridi to compile 41 off 77 balls. Even though the first four wickets fell cheaply, Sri Lanka still managed to post their 100 in the 24th over of the innings, as the batsmen concentrated on singles and doubles.

Arnold fell in the 33rd over when he tried to pull a widish leg break from Afridi and ended up in sking the ball to Imran Nazir inside the circle. Chandana was bowled on the final ball of the innings off his pads.