Shrugging off the disappointment of an overnight defeat to Pakistan, India fought hard to restrict Sri Lanka to 308 for eight in their crucial Super League game of the ninth Asia Cup one-day cricket tournament at National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday.

Despite half centuries from Chamara Kapugedera (75), captain Mahela Jayawardene (50) and Chamara Silva (50), Indian bowlers did well to peg back the Lankans on another good batting track after captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost the toss.

Playing before a sparse crowd, Sri Lanka was in control for most part of the innings but lost wickets at regular intervals after reaching 217 for three.

In the final 10 overs they lost four wickets and 74 runs. Sri Lanka have already qualified for the final while India need to win the game to book the other summit clash spot and put the hosts out of the run for the title.

After losing Kumar Sangakkara in the fourth over for just seven runs when he was caught down the leg side off Ishant Sharma, Sanath Jayasuriya went about his usual self.

Dropped on four by Yuvraj Singh, who attempted a difficult take running in from mid-off, Jayasuriya breezed his way to 43 from 37 balls with eight balls before he was caught by Dhoni on the leg side to give Sharma his second wicket.

Jayawardene, who scored his 47th career fifty, and Kapugedera put Sri Lanka into the driving seat with a 78 runs stand off 89 balls hitting some smooth boundaries to put the pressure on India.

Jayawardene fell just one ball after completing his half century from 62 balls. He was caught by Gautam Gambhir at long off dancing down the wicket and attempting to hit Pragyan Ojha out of the ground.

Kapugedera teamed up with Silva to put on another 68 from 66 balls for the fourth wicket as both the youngsters batted with freedom as Ojha went for runs.

Kapugedera raced to his fifth half century from 55 balls with the help of six fours before Praveen Kumar trapped him leg before at the total of 217 in the 38th over.

Five overs later, Tillakeratne Dilshan also pulled Irfan Pathan down to RP Singh at fine leg making 15 from 19 balls.

Silva’s run out after reaching his 50 in the 46th over at the total of 263 put Sri Lanka back in their effort to score quick runs in the final overs and post a big total.

Irfan Pathan was the most expensive bowler conceding 80 in his 10 overs with his final over conceding 14 runs.

Posted on July 3rd, 2008 by admin
Filed under: News