It’s a draw

And it had been for over 2 days now.

Until the customary ‘late in the 5th day drama’ which intrigues all of us, gets the cricinfo commentators excited but amounts to nothing in the end.

Mahela,as ever, spoke about the positives. Sri Lanka’s batting which has been a worry over the last month had to put up a good performance. So all the big boys put their hands up.

Sangakkara has started a dangerous trend of getting a 50 and then getting out. We know he is capable of the big one, he knows it too. This pitch had 200 written all over it for King Sanga but he let it slip in both innings.

Of course the most impressive of the lot has to be Thilan. He has shot down every myth that surrounds him, that he is no good outside SL, that he is too slow, that he isn’t cool.

Maybe this innings isn’t the best example of his over seas capabilities but the man is scoring runs, for his club, for his country and has almost tripled his SR in the last year or so.

He averages 84 with 3 centuries in the last year. You can’t argue with that.

Tharanga Paranavitana, on debut bagged a golden duck and 9 runs on a pitch where everyone else scored zillion at least. Its a tough initiation but we know the kids got talent.Unfortunately this may have been the best pitch to have made a debut on, ever.

Luckily for him Pakistani debutant, Sohail Khan fared no better, going at 5 and 6 rpo in both innings.

But Wasim Akarams backing him. Who are we to argue with him.

In the end this was more of a triumph for Pakistan than anyone else.

14 months in test wilderness. A new captain. Playing a top team in the world, against two of the best spinners going around.

Pakistan showed they still have the man power to more than compete. Younus seems like the best fit to lead them and is saying all the right things.

He wants Pakistan to be aggressive. Who doesn’t. Long have we waited to see the resurgence of the team that sits on a knife edge of brilliance or utter failure. Pakistan used to be one of my favorite teams, till all the drug scandals and controversies.

Who woudln’t want to see the making of the next Anwar, or Akram or Waquar. The list is endless.

Of course things would be much better if we had a better pitch. Here is hoping for just that.

6 Comments

  1. Dave said:

    If we’re talking postives, how about Mahela getting a wicket with his second ball? Who knew he was a strike bowler?

    February 26, 2009
    Reply
  2. Sachintha said:

    Can’t argue with Thilan’s performance indeed.
    Threr was a time, even when he scored tons of hundreds still he couldnt put the bat into ball if it pitched on or outside the leg stump. Not anymore.
    I think he’s knocking on the door of the ODI team as well…

    Oh and would love to see Sanga and Mahela bowl! Send me a link if you have one. Couldnt watch the match…

    February 26, 2009
    Reply
  3. ankit said:

    certainly mahela talked about positives, though he should be talking lessons to be learnt! this going to be his last series as captain, shouldn’t he be helping people!

    damiths,

    you have been blog-rolled on allpaddedup.com, a sign of our appreciation for your page! do visit us, and let us know if we are worthy of yours!

    February 26, 2009
    Reply
  4. Kesh said:

    lol Mahela is having the ideal send off as captain… a double ton and now a wicket to his name as well…..

    Thilan wish him all the best….. hope he does well for SL in the coming games…always wanted him to do good… hopefully he will…

    and the curator of the next game is under pressure eh to come up with a good pitch lol

    February 27, 2009
    Reply
  5. damiths said:

    Dave> An oversight on my part, thats more positive than his 240 on the flat track.

    Sach> Sanga and Mahela to open the bowling. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

    Thilan in the ODI team ? Not a bad move and I am for it, unlikely though.

    Ankit> Will add you buddy!

    Kesh > Lahore better have some bite, otherwise he will feel the wrath of the blogging world. Believe you me, you dont want that.

    February 27, 2009
    Reply
  6. Kesj said:

    it seems paki coach is happy with the pitch … check cricinfo…

    ps – and did u meet LP? he said so… take a pic this weekend if are gonna meet again….

    February 27, 2009
    Reply

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