Bhatti's late wickets gives Pakistan edge in first Test

Paceman Bilawal Bhatti removed experienced Sri Lankan batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene off successive deliveries to put Pakistan in command of the first Test on Thursday. The 22-year-old debutant removed Sangakkara (55) with the last ball of his tenth over and then had Jayawardene off the first of his next to leave Sri Lanka at 186-4 in their second innings at close on the third day on a Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch which had eased out for batsmen. Junaid (2-46) built on the strikes by dismissing Kaushal Silva for 81, caught behind in the last over of the day. Before that Silva and Sangakkara added 99 for the second wicket, which had thwarted Pakistan's pace-cum-spin attack in the last session. Dinesh Chandimal was the unbeaten batsman at close with 24 as Sri Lanka, who trailed by 179 runs after the first innings, ended the day seven runs ahead with six wickets in hand. Earlier, Pakistan were dismissed for 383 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 204. Bhatti said he felt proud. "Sangakkara and Jayawardene are big names and (the) strength of Sri Lankan batting and I am proud at getting their wickets," said Bhatti. "We need to get them out early on Friday for a win." Silva's dismissal has given Pakistan a sniff of victory on the fourth day. He hit 11 boundaries during his 275-minute stay and gave Sri Lanka a confident start of 47 with Dimuth Karunaratne (24). Silva, playing only his fourth Test, used his feet well against spinner Saeed Ajmal and looked comfortable against Pakistani bowling, reaching his maiden half-century with a single off Junaid. The experienced Sangakkara, who hit an epic double hundred to draw a Test at the same venue against Pakistan in 2011, brought up his 43rd Test fifty with a crisp cut shot off Bhatti for his sixth boundary. It was Bhatti (2-65) who seemed to have got Sangakkara on 29 when a sharp delivery trapped the left-hander leg before as English umpire Richard Kettleborough upheld the appeal, but the batsman challenged the decision. Television replays showed the ball was pitched on leg-stump and the umpire had to change the decision. But Bhatti had the last laugh as he forced an edge off Sangakkara which was smartly snapped up in the slips by Younis Khan. Sangakkara hit six boundaries during his 98-ball stay. Next over, Bhatti had a ball rear up from a good length which forced Jayawardene to hand an easy catch to gully for a first-ball duck. In the morning, Sri Lanka's pace and spin attack brought their team back in the game by taking the last six wickets for just 54 runs after Pakistan resumed the day at 327-4. Paceman Shaminda Eranga finished with 3-80 while left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took 3-90 -- all his three wickets coming in ten balls on the day. Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal grabbed 2-99 Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq scored 135. He hit 16 boundaries and a six off 306 balls before being last man out, caught at long-off off from spinner Herath. In all, Misbah batted for 425 minutes and his 218-run partnership with Younis Khan (136) on Wednesday set Pakistan on track for their big lead. Pakistan lost Asad Shafiq (13) and Adnan Akmal for six before Bilawal Bhatti (14) helped his skipper add 27 for the seventh wicket. Herath dismissed Saeed Ajmal and Rahat Ali off consecutive deliveries to restrict Pakistan's lead. The second Test will be played in Dubai (January 8-12) and the third in Sharjah (January 16-20). Source: AFP