Sangakkara double keeps series level
Kumar Sangakkara's eighth double hundred allowed Sri Lanka to save the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
Kumar Sangakkara's eighth double hundred allowed Sri Lanka to save the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi after they'd been staring down the barrel for the first three days of the match.
Pakistan were left to regret five dropped catches in Sri Lanka's second innings, four in the first session of day four when the Test was very much there for the taking.
Sangakkara was put down twice in that period, and made Misbah-ul-Haq's side pay as he went on to score 211 in Sri Lanka's total of 483.
By the time Sri Lanka were finally dismissed, Pakistan need 170 to win in 20 overs, and they were forced to settle for the draw as they reached 21 for one before the two sides shook hands.
Sangakkara now has the third most double tons in the history of the game – only Brian Lara, with nine, and Sir Donald Bradman, with 12, have more than the Sri Lankan.
Meanwhile Prasanna Jayawardene registered his fourth Test hundred as he put on the key partnership in the match with Sangakkara, adding 201 runs over the course of three sessions.
Sri Lanka had resumed on 298 for five on the final morning and settled the nerves with a wicketless opening session, which gave them an overall lead of 50 at the lunch break.
Sangakkara went to the double shortly after the break, but finally fell when he became Azhar Ali's first Test victim as he was trapped lbw.
That opened the gates somewhat, as Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets for 39 runs. Jayawardene was stopped on 120 eight overs later after a patient innings as he was caught behind off the bowling of Aizaz Cheema.
Rangana Herath finished on 23 not out, while Umar Gul grabbed two tail-end wickets to finish with the admirable figures of 4 for 64.
It was all too late for Pakistan though, and all that was left was for Chanaka Welegedera to trap Taufeeq Umar lbw as the match petered out in tame fashion.
Latest
-
NewsOllie Robinson given no assurances about England future after investigation
The seamer issued an apology for racist and sexist tweets he posted in 2012 and 2013 that were shared online on the day he made his Test bow.
-
NewsCulture Secretary Oliver Dowden: Ollie Robinson’s punishment over the top
Robinson has been suspended from all international cricket pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation.
-
NewsEngland take safety-first approach to ensure first Test ends in draw at Lord’s
Dominic Sibley scored an unbeaten 60 to guide the home side to a share of the spoils.
-
NewsEngland seamer Ollie Robinson suspended pending investigation into tweets
Tweets containing racist and sexist terms were sent on the bowler’s account in 2012 and 2013.
-
NewsJoe Root admits there was never a ‘realistic opportunity’ for England victory
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson tried to tempt England in the final two sessions by declaring during lunch, setting a victory target of 273.
-
NewsYorkshire secure dramatic victory over Sussex to remain in race for the title
Four wickets from Dom Bess helped the Tykes eventually break the resistance of the visitors’ lower order.
-
NewsEngland hold on for draw in first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s
A grandstand finish failed to materialise and the series heads to Edgbaston all square.
-
NewsEngland 56 for two chasing 273 on final day of first Test against New Zealand
The Lord’s encounter looks to be heading for a draw.
-
NewsNew Zealand up the ante at Lord’s as England face a challenging target
The tourists are likely to declare at some point this afternoon to leave England the probability of batting to save the Test.
-
NewsRory Burns hails ‘special’ hundred in front of baby daughter
The England opener’s wife and five-month-old child Cora were at Lord’s to see him bat through the innings against New Zealand.