on the back foot as this is turned away behind to fine leg
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st Test at Abu Dhabi, Dec 31 2013 - Match Result
Well that's it from Abu Dhabi. The series is still tied 0-0 with one game down, and the next Test begins in Dubai on January 8, so we look forward to you all joining us. Till then, this is Rohan Sharma signing off on behalf of the scorer, Binoy George.
Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan captain: Pretty even Test match. The first two days we dominated, and then they came back really well on day three and four, and fifth day was even for both teams. I think both teams played good cricket, but we need to improve a few things going forward. Especially with how we collapsed in the first innings and we need to improve the bowling areas we pitch, especially when the wicket gets flatter, and the fielding also. I think it was a typical Abu Dhabi wicket. Normally the first two days are good for seamers, and then it flattens out, except for the England Test matches (last year), where we go turn in the later days. It was green for the first two days, but towards the end there was nothing for the bowlers, especially for the spinners. I think the credit should be given to the Sri Lankans for how they played him (Ajmal). There was nothing for him in the wicket but in the next few games he will come back and show what a world-class bowler he is. Lots of positives for us. Junaid Khan is proving himself again and again, and Bhatti bowled well so that's a plus. Shehzad scored runs, and Younis is back in form. Hopefully the team is in good shape and have good confidence (going forward).
Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka captain and Man of the Match: Happy with the way I batted. Hope I can continue for the future. Not all the batters can do their job every day, so whoever gets in has to score some runs. This is the best I have batted for my country. We were in a spot of bother (on the third day). They bowled brilliantly and I had to play my ODI game (in the first innings), so at least we got to 200. It was a pretty see-saw kind of game. The first couple of days they were pretty good and then the fourth and fifth we were better. The new-ball is very crucial when you have to face Junaid, Rahat and all. Chandimal batted brilliantly when the team needed him, so hats off to him. He's the best wicketkeeper going around, and very solid when it comes to his batting. We needed an innings like that from him, and pretty pleased with how things went.
Angelo Mathews is Man of the Match
Rameez looking rather spiffy as he introduces the presentation party
FARHAN ALAM: "Srilankan really did a good job with bat, spaecially mathhews. He turn the deciding test into a drawn one."
Baz: "Sri Lanka need a destructive fast bowler the likes of Johnson to extract wins"
Ayan: "Draw called 15 overs early? Why? let hafeez score his hundred then do this. Not good"
arqam: "this shows why both these teams will never be no 1 in test rankings. neither of them want to take that extra risk. the pitch was playing so well why not take a couple of risks and see what happens."
We will be back shortly for quotes from the match presentation
And it looks like stumps has been called as this match was definitely meandering to a draw. Younis and Hafeez shake hands with all the Sri Lankans. Plenty of positives to take out for both teams from this Test match. Sri Lanka looked down and out after the third day, but Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal batted expertly to get them to a commanding position. Hafeez and Shehzad did their bit in the final innings to ensure Pakistan didn't leave Abu Dhabi one down in the series.
once again defended to the off side
strides out to meet this at the pitch of the ball
on the front foot again as Younis is not in a hurry to get anywhere
on the front foot as this is turned away to the leg side
defended to the off side by Younis
Xing Lee: "Would've liked to see Sohaib Maqsood in the XI. Looks a mature player, a solid defence and plays attacking cricket strokes as well. Reminiscent of Inzamam ul Haq, from the same town too."
length outside off which is left well alone
fires one in down the pads as Hafeez fails to get this away
content to shoulder arms to this delivery outside off
fuller and moving away outside off, left alone by Hafeez
length nibbling in on off and defended by Hafeez
length outside off which is helped down to point
Ashane: "Sri lanka's youngsters showed good fight in the second innings. Hopefully they'll be consistent for upcoming games. A draw is likely here..."
gets forward again as he plays this with hard hands, but the ball doesn't carry to the fielder at short cover
looks to punch this off the back foot, but can't get it past point
this time going down the pads as this one strikes the front pad, but this one seemed to be going down the leg side
respected by Hafeez on the front foot
dances down the track to play this one straight to silly mid-off
presses forward to look for an opportunity for a single on the off side
fuller one just outside off which is defended down to mid-off
length outside off which is defended to short cover point
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | |
Toss | Pakistan, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2013/14 |
Player Of The Match | |
Series result | 3-match series level 0-0 |
Match number | Test no. 2112 |
Hours of play (local time) | 10am start, Lunch 12.00-12.40, Tea 14.40-15.00, Close 17.00 |
Match days | 31 December 2013, 1,2,3,4 January 2014 - day (5-day match) |
Test debut | |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |