Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st Test, Galle, Live Streaming, Live Scores
The first test in a 3 match series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan gets under way at Galle on Saturday.
The Venue: Galle, Sri Lanka
Galle is widely viewed as one of the most splendid venues in test cricket and the ground has been rebuilt since being badly damaged by the Tsunami.
Pakistan’s only visit to Galle came in 2000 and they won comprehensively by an innings and 163 runs after Pakistan hit 600 in their first innings. Sri Lanka then reeled off a sequence of impressive victories with South Africa, India, England and West Indies all losing by at least 10 wickets in the 18 months or so that followed.
Rcently though, Sri Lanka’s fortunes at Galle have taken a turn for the worse. There were draws against England in 2003 and 2007, and the Proteas in 2004. Also in 2004 Australia beat them by 197 runs and in the last test match at this venue which came in 2008, India ran out winners by 170 runs.
Let’s take a closer look at the test against India last year for a few pointers. India won the toss and chose to bat. They made 29 thanks largely to a double century from Sehwag. Sri Lankan spinners Mendia (6) and Murali (2) took 8 of the 10 Indian wickets.
In reply, Sri Lanka were all out for 292 and once again, spin was a potent weapon with Harbhajan taking 6 wickets and Kumble 3. India then set their hosts 307 for victory as they made 269 in their 2nd innings. Mendis (4) and Murali (3) were once again amongst the wickets.
On day 4, Sri Lanka collapsed in their chase and were all out for 136 as Indian ran out comfortable winners. In summary of the 40 wickets to fall, 30 fell to spin bowling.
Sri Lanka squad:
Sangakkara takes charge of a squad which includes T20 star performer Dilshan, the experience of Jayawardene as well as the spin of Murali and Mendis. Chaminda Vaas has been left out whilst Jayasuriya no longer plays test cricket.
Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Malinda Warnapura, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Muthiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dhammika Prasad, Kaushal Silva, Suranga Lakmal.
Pakistan squad:
Younis Khan welcomes back Mohammad Yousuf to a squad which has many of the members of the successful ICC T20 campaign. There is no Afridi who has having a break before the ODI’s begin but Saeed Ajmal is there to provide the spin along with Danish Kaneria
Squad: Younis Khan (capt), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamer, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rauf, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal.
