Sri Lanka Miss Opportunity to Build Bigger Lead over Pakistan

At the end of the second day of the second Test in Colombo, hosts Sri Lanka appear to be in a good position, ahead by 166 runs against Pakistan on 304 for nine.

However, having bowled their opponents out for just 138 on the first day, the home side will lament missing out on the chance to build an even bigger lead at this stage of the game.

Even worse, things looked very healthy indeed for the Sri Lankans when play began.

The hosts were 70 for one when they began, with Kaushal Silva and Kumar Sangakkara together at the crease and looking set to build a strong partnership.

As two of Sri Lanka’s better and more consistent batsmen, their team-mates would have looked to them to really get the scoreboard moving.

Unfortunately, it did not last as long as they would have hoped, as Sangakkara was caught by Asad Shafiq at long-on off Zulfiqar Babar in what was a wasteful dismissal for 34.

He was followed shortly after by Lahiru Thirimanne, who did not last long at the crease before being caught by Azhar Ali at short leg off Yasir Shah.

A strong partnership between Silva and captain Angelo Mathews looked to be righting the ship, but Silva was run out for 80 in a farcical fashion.

Sanka Gayashan/Associated Press

Silva went for a quick single, but Mathews was not prepared to risk it. The opener proceeded to slip over to compound the misery and departed with the score at 191 for four.

A minor collapse followed when both Dinesh Chandimal and Kithuruwan Vithanage fell cheaply, bowled by Shah as they both failed to make it beyond single figures.

What was especially galling was the manner of their dismissals, as Chandimal advanced down the pitch and only succeeded in yorking himself.

Then, Vithanage played an unnecessary reverse sweep and was bowled by a ball from Shah that turned enormously.

It was thus left to Mathews and Dhammika Prasad to haul Sri Lanka’s total in the right direction while the other bowlers played strong cameos to help out.

When Mathews was caught leg before wicket by Shah, the hosts were still short of 300, so they were forced to rely on Prasad and Tharindu Kaushal to take them past that milestone.

Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press

It was a day of missed opportunities for Sri Lanka, who are 166 runs ahead but could have given themselves a much bigger advantage.

Their batsmen were guilty of throwing their wickets away and would have been expected to do so much more on a pitch that offers assistance for the spinners but is decent for batting.

Sangakkara’s dismissal was indicative of a Sri Lanka team that needs to work out how to hold onto their wickets for longer and not give up any advantage they build up.

He would have wanted so much more from himself, especially in the twilight of such a glittering career.

A lead of 166 runs is not to be sneezed at, especially after Pakistan were bowled out for 138 in their first innings, but it could have been so much more.

Sri Lanka have an advantage, but it should be far greater at this stage.