Sri Lanka Dodge Showers To Make Modest Score

Sri Lanka Dodge Showers To Make Modest Score

Lahiru Thirimanne propped up Sri Lanka's innings with an unbeaten 42 in between the rain showers in Pallekele

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Sri Lanka 135-8 (Thirimanne 42no) v Pakistan
First One-Day International, Pallekele

Sri Lanka laboured between several rain breaks to post a score of 135 for eight in 42 overs in the opening One-Day International against Pakistan in Pallekele.

Lahiru Thirimanne took advantage of being dropped twice to top score with 42 not out while Umar Gul and Mohammad Sami spearheaded Pakistan's charge with three wickets apiece.

Having won the toss and chose to bat, Sri Lanka were quickly in trouble as Gul (3-24) made inroads by having Mahela Jayawardene trapped in front for three and Tillakaratne Dilshan caught by Saeed Ajmal for five.

Sami (3-19) trapped a hesitant Kumar Sangakkara leg before for nine with a full delivery before Dinesh Chandimal played on to Gul for a nine-ball duck.

Upul Tharanga (10) fell to Mohammad Hafeez and Angelo Mathews (0) was smartly caught by captain Misbah-ul-Haq at slip as he drove at Sami.

The rain delays gave Sri Lanka the opportunity to regroup and Thirimanne combined effectively with Tissara Perera (17) and Nuwan Kulasekara (18) to add a touch of respectability to their score.

Some eye-catching drives helped him hit three fours but Pakistan will rue the fact that he was dropped first by Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps and then by Umar Gul.

Sohail Tanvir bowled tidily but endured a luckless afternoon, having Jayawardene caught behind off a no ball and then dropping Kulasekara at third man.

The Duckworth/Lewis method calculation has reduced Pakistan's target to 135.

© Cricket World 2012