Sri Lanka slide towards inevitable defeat

With the scorching Sri Lankan sun finally beginning to cool and the long evening shadows starting to stretch across this tranquil ground, the locals started to amass on the historic Galle. Their daily labours now finished, they had come to watch the cricket. But with Sri Lanka's tale of woe continuing unabated, they gazed out not in celebration but in morbidity. Quietly and respectfully they had come to watch their beloved team begin its slide towards inevitable defeat.

Throughout this sun-blessed day the Pakistan batsmen had remorsefully continued their run scoring exploits of the previous day. Compiling a massive first innings score of 600-9 they then subjected the exhausted Sri Lankan batsmen to a torrid 23 over interrogation. At the close they had struggled to 45-1, still 374 runs behind with two days remaining.

Sanath Jayasuriya (21), who's honeymoon period as captain is finally coming to an end, started in a typically manful fashion with four cleanly struck boundaries but eventually succumbed to Waqar Younis. Pushing awkwardly forward to a delivery of perfect line and length he was easily caught by Inzamann at first slip. It was the sixth time in the last nine innings that the "Burewela Express" has now claimed his wicket.

It could have been much worse as Russel Arnold (4*) nearly perished in identical fashion. Inzamann claimed the catch but Arnold was not convinced and stood his ground. After numerous replays the TV umpire, Gamini Silva, was forced to give the benefit of the doubt to the batsmen, as it was unclear as to whether the ball had brushed the turf whilst entering Inzamann's basket-like hands.

It was just the kind of luck that Russel Arnold needs at the moment. His place in this side is clearly in some doubt after three failures so far in the series. But its not so much the dismissals themselves that will have caused concern but the manner in which he is batting. The footwork is unsure and the mind is clearly uncertain.

Marvan Attapattu (17*) also survived to the close but was not left unscathed after a turning his head on a short delivery from Razzaq. The ball crashed into the side of his helmet and clearly shook him up.

Earlier in the day, Younis Khan (116) and Wasim Akram (100) had both scored centuries as Pakistan scored 259 runs in 73 overs. Younis Khan's was the second of his career both of which have been against Sri Lanka. A stylish batsmen with a closed stance he batted for 281 balls. Whilst he clearly has technical faults, and walks dangerously across his stumps, one has to admire the quick movement of his feet and the pronounced front elbow, when he drives of both the front and back foot.

Wasim Akram's exhilarating century came from just 86 balls and included 6 sixes and 8 fours. Coming to the crease after the dismissal of Abdul Razzaq (48), who foolishly played no stroke to Murali and was consequently bowled, Akram changed the tempo of the innings and finally extinguished any hope that may have lingered in the Sri Lankan hearts.

For the second successive day Sri Lanka failed to claim a wicket in the morning session. Younis Khan was partnered by Abdul Razzaq,, who clearly showed that his batting is developing as quickly as his bowling. The only bowler to threaten was Muralitharan, but even he was not at his best and was not given a long spell. Chaminda Vaas bowled his heart out again but to no avail.

Sri Lanka quite clearly the lacked the necessary firepower to compete with this confident Pakistan unit and the decision to rest Zoysa is being fiercely condemned by some of the media. Certainly it was a unique decision in international cricket. Without a pool of fast bowlers like Pakistan's the decision blunted the attack.

Ravindra Puspakumara, for all his noble effort and commitment, is a one-dimensional bowler who can neither swing nor seam the ball on recent evidence. When he is also incapable of pitching it in the right place then you have real problems. In the end Jayasuriya threw the ball to Arjuna Ranatunga and Mahela Jayawardena in desperation (they went for 45 from 4.2 overs).

Its Saturday tomorrow and the spectators should turn up in greater numbers. One would like to offer soothing words of encouragement to them about their side's chances but the reality of Sri Lanka's grim position is too persuasive. Nevertheless the day is an important one for the players concerned. Careers are hanging in the balance.