Sri Lanka clinch the ARY Gold Cup in style

Defeating Pakistan by 77 runs Sri Lanka emerged as the legitimate winners of the ARY Gold Cup. The way they toyed with Pakistan in the grand final was a treat to watch and exciting too. Sri Lanka's triumph can be called a victory of `fielding and determination', the most important elements in the game of cricket. Pakistan's miserable fielding and distressing catch droppings that allowed Sri Lanka to pile up a mammoth 297 runs. In contrast, Sri Lanka's marvelous fielding and flawless catching brought them to the victory stand.

In hindsight, had the Pakistan fielders held their catches the situation may well have been different. With a lesser quantum of pressure Pakistan would have batted with more confidence to achieve the target. Though Saeed Anwar displayed the courage of a lion to fight the lone battle, the target was rather too tall to achieve without equal support from the other end. He was out after scoring a defiant 62 and his departure signaled the end of any hopes of Pakistan's survival.

One must give Sri Lanka the credit it deserves for such a fabulous victory. Putting defeats in the league matches behind them, they rejuvenated to face a high riding Pakistan outfit, eventually defeating them in all departments of the game.

Winning the toss could be a good omen for Sri Lanka because the Pakistan team was not good at chasing the target. Pakistan got the 1st break through when opener Romesh Kaluwitharana was run out with the total at 8. Waqar Younis and Abdur Razzaq bowled well to restrict the score to 33 after 10 overs.

During the next 5 the batsmen broke the cordon by hitting a few fours. Jayasuriya delighted the over-flowing crowd by punishing Razzaq for two mighty sixes in one over. The rate of scoring jumped, with 15 overs yielding 64 runs and Jayasuriya and Atapattu were now in full flow.

Pakistan suffered the 1st blow when Waqar Younis dropped Jayasuriya, trying a flying shot to the boundary. He survived a 2nd chance when keeper Humayun Farhat failed to hold a flick. Jayasuriya hoisted his 50 with 3 sixes, while 100 of the innings came in 23 overs.

After playing a fabulous innings of 70 Jayasuriya finally offered an easy catch to Inzamam off Shoaib Malik and Sri Lanka were 122 for 2. Having scored 47 runs, his highest of the tournament, Marvan Atapattu tried a reverse sweep but was dropped. After completing his 50 a little later, he again skied a ball, which Inzamam failed to hold. With such liberal dropping of catches it did not look to be Pakistan's day.

Taking full advantage of Pakistan's poor fielding Atapattu and Jayawardene were on the rampage scoring runs on almost every ball. They hit a flurry of fours, sixes and even reverse sweeps. In the rush of things Jayawardene was dropped by Saqlain taking the tally of dropped catches to 6. Pakistan's fielding was simply atrocious.

To the joy of a very enthusiastic crowd, the tempo of the game kept rising, 64 runs coming off 6 overs and the 200 of the innings in the 41st over. Pakistan bowlers and fielders who had been under severe punishment from the batsmen got a sigh of relief when Atapattu was run out after scoring a stormy 89 and Sri Lanka was 233 for 3.

When Sri Lanka reached 245 in 46 overs, runs started coming at jet speed. After smashing Waqar Younis for two mighty sixes, Jayawardene made his way out after scoring an invaluable 67. The gamble of bringing in off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq paid off when he made short work of Jayawardene and Chaminda Vaas in one over, bringing down Sri Lanka to 276 for 6 but with a late flurry by Zoysa, Sri Lanka reached a massive 297 for 7. With a 3 wickets haul Saqlain was the leading bowler.

Facing the mountain like target, Pakistan lost openers Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir for only 13 runs in a desperate and panicky start, going for runs. Humayun Farhat was sent to stem the rot. Guided by Saeed Anwar he did a wonderful job of holding the other end and scoring runs at a brisk pace.

After playing an excellent innings of 39 Humayun fell victim of a superb catch taken by Muralitharan at point. Pakistan lost the 3rd wicket at 86 scored in 10 overs. Saeed Anwar was still holding the fort with 27. Inzamam did not stay for long and Younis Khan joined him in the pavilion a little later. Abdur Razzaq came and went rendering Pakistan to a hopeless 108 for 6.

Succumbing Sri Lanka's marvelous fielding and sensational catching ability Pakistan was in serious trouble. While Saeed Anwar held his ground with courage the procession continued from the other end. In a late partnership with Shoaib Malik he took the total to 159 in 22 overs.

Fighting a lone battle Saeed hoisted his 39th 50 in one-day cricket but departed after scoring a valiant 62, rewarding Jayasuriya with his 200th wicket in one-day matches. Down to 159 for 7, Pakistan had a lot of overs in the kitty but no match winners left among the tail-enders.

Although Shoaib Malik scored a defiant 44 while Waqar contributed 20. Pakistan was all out for 220. Sri Lanka won the final of the ARY Gold Cup by 77 runs. Chaminda Vaas was the highest wicket taker with 3 victims.

Man of the Match was Marvan Atapattu and of the Series was Inzamam-ul-Haq.