COLOMBO, 8 October — Pakistan’s young guns were silenced by Australia’s pace battery as the world champions fought back to win the first Test by 41 runs at the Saravanamuttu Stadium here yesterday.
Needing 316 runs for victory, Pakistan appeared in sight of the target at 187 for three but the lack of experience showed and the new-look team were all out for 274 in the second innings 30 minutes after lunch on the fifth day to give Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series being played at neutral venues in Colombo and Sharjah.
Earlier, Australia had scored 467 and 127 while Pakistan had replied with 279 in their first innings.
Waugh said the rain, which wiped out the post-tea session on the fourth day with Pakistan comfortably placed at 179-3 chasing 316 to win, helped his side regroup.
“The rain probably helped us and allowed us to regroup for the final day,” Waugh said.
“With our bowlers fresh, it was never going to be easy for Pakistan to score the remaining 137 runs.
“We felt the Pakistanis were a bit pensive this morning and we knew we had to tighten the screws with a few quick wickets. “Warnie (Shane Warne) did that at the start. It was a gamble going for the new ball but I realized Warne was a bit tired.” Shane Warne, the great Aussie leg-spinner had struck the first two blows to check the Pakistan innings and finished the match with 11 wickets for 188 runs.
He had claimed seven victims for 94 runs in Pakistan’s first innings. He was deservedly chosen man-ofthe- match by match referee Clive Lloyd.
However, it was the second new ball which proved to be Pakistan’s undoing and they lost the last five wickets to Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie’s pace attack for the addition of just 32 runs.
McGrath finished with three for 38 and Gillespie two for 62.
“I could bowl every second over if I had to,” Warne said.
The fightback was remarkable despite Mark Waugh, with 176 catches from 126 Tests, dropping two simple ones that a fielder of his status should have easily taken.
Waugh defended brother Mark, said: “It was one of his off-days, it can happen to any player,” the Australian captain said.
“This was not the best ground to sight a ball.” This was Australia’s 19th triumph in 47 matches between the two countries.
Pakistan won 11 and 17 were drawn.
The struggle between bat and ball started in earnest in the morning.
Australia employing the mixed attack of Glenn McGrath’s pace and Warne’s spin.
Younis, when on 33, was fortunate to be dropped in second slip by Mark in McGrath’s third over.
Mark got both his hands to the ball but then spilled it.
Misbah-ul Haq was never comfortable against Warne and was caught in the covers trying to drive against the spin.
He shared a 40-run stand with Younis off 50 balls.
With his confidence at rock bottom, Mark dropped a sitter his third miss of the innings and fourth of the match to reprieve Faisal Iqbal on 14 and Pakistan 202 for four.
Gillespie was the bowler to suffer as he replaced McGrath.
The match which was deprived of over five hours of play due to rains and bad light, was further hit when one of the panels that cover the advertisement at the sight screen gave way and it took the ground staff nearly 15 minutes to set things right.
Faisal and Younis, Pakistan’s top scorers of the first innings, made the most of the lives and put on 43 runs in 86 balls for the fifth wicket.
Younis duly completed his second half century of the match by straight driving Lee to the boundary.
This was his eighth fifty in 21 Tests. However, he soon fell attempting to sweep a flipper from Warne to be leg before. His 51 came off 130 balls and contained six fours.
Newcomer Rashid Latif was lucky to survive a strong leg before appeal off the first ball he faced from Warne.
Steve Waugh delayed claiming the new ball to allow Warne the use of the old one.
Rashid struck two super boundaries off Warne to take Pakistan closer to the target and forcing Steve to claim the new ball after 84 overs.
Pakistan at 242 for five, needed 74 runs more for a win.
The new ball brought Australia almost immediate success as Gillespie’s first ball found Rashid edging to wicketkeeper Gilchrist.
The Australians were slowly fighting back into the match.
And when Saqlain stepped out to drive McGrath and succeeded in getting a leading edge for cover to take a good catch, the match seemed to be slipping from Pakistan’s grasp at 251 for seven.
Gillespie struck again in his next over as Waqar hung his bat out for Gilchrist to take the simplest of catches and Pakistan were in deep trouble.
Shoaib offered no stroke to a McGrath inswinger and was trapped leg before, Pakistan reeling at 259 for nine at lunch.
Gillespie limped back to the pavilion with an injury and Warne completed his over.
“It was a twinge in his calf muscle,” Waugh said, adding it was too early to say whether Gillespie would play in Sharjah.
Pakistan’s resistance ended when Faisal went for a big hit off a rising McGrath delivery and Ponting in the covers took a well judged catch.
Pakistani captain Waqar Younis said he was proud the way young team had fought the world champions till the end.
“The younger players stood up in a crisis and that is a good sign for Pakistan,” Waqar said.
“Shoaib is no doubt one of the best bowlers at the moment. When he gets his line right and his rhythm going, he’s definitely the most lethal one,” Waqar said.
“I’m really pleased with his performance, and Saqlain also. He bowled some excellent spells,” he said, referring to the off-spinner’s eight wickets.
“I think we have a very good chance to stage a comeback at Sharjah where the remaining two Tests will be played.” Pakistani batsman Yunis Khan sweeps a ball as Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist looks on during the final day of the first Test match against Australia at Tamil Union Ground, in Colombo, on Monday.
