KARACHI, 31 October 2004 — Sanath Jayasuriya struck a cavalier 96 not out to lead Sri Lanka’s fightback against Pakistan after a century by Inzamam ul-Haq on the third day of the second Test yesterday. Trailing by 270 runs on first innings, Sri Lanka reached the close on 134 for one, still needing a further 136 to avoid an innings defeat.
The left-handed Jayasuriya, 35, was on the brink of a 14th Test century, having hit 14 fours and a six in 104 balls. He became his country’s highest run-scorer in Tests when he reached 83. His exhilarating display continued a strong revival by the visitors, who took the last five wickets for 77 runs in the afternoon session to dismiss Pakistan for 478.
However, Pakistan captain Inzamam believes his team have a good opportunity to level the two-match series with a victory.
Pakistan had been in a dominant position at lunch, reaching 387 for five with Inzamam unbeaten on 117. The wickets fell, though, at regular intervals after Inzamam was out to the fourth ball after lunch without adding to his score, his 20th Test century and fifth against Sri Lanka.
Inzamam, having batted for five-and-a-half hours and 242 balls, edged left-arm pacer Chaminda Vaas to Mahela Jayawardene at first slip. Jayawardene had put down a similar chance off Dilhara Fernando when Inzamam was on 108 runs, just before lunch.
Sri Lanka, who lead the series 1-0, made a fast start to their second innings after tea, Jayasuriya taking two fours in the opening over from Rana Naved and handing out similar treatment to Riaz Afridi and Abdul Razzaq.
While his partner Marvan Atapattu made a sedate 25 in a first-wicket stand of 117, Jayasuriya was in explosive form.
The left-hander, who top-scored with 253 in Sri Lanka’s first Test win in Faisalabad, reached his fifty from 49 balls, including eight fours and a six to square leg off Danish Kaneria.
He became his country’s highest scorer in Tests with a cover drive for four that took him to 83, surpassing Aravinda de Silva’s career total of 6,361 runs.
