The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Malik keeps Lankans at bay

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Friday, Mar 31, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Malik keeps Lankans at bay

COLOMBO : Shoaib Malik ground out a big maiden Test century under pressure to help Pakistan draw the opening match against Sri Lanka after being set a mammoth target to win.

The 24-year-old opener scored a patient 148 not out as the tourists reached 337 for four in their second innings at stumps on the last day while chasing an improbable 458 runs.

Pakistan made no serious attempt to reach 458, which would have smashed the world-record run chase of 418 by the West Indies against Australia at Antigua in 2003.

Malik, 30 overnight, impressed with his temperament and shot-selection as he batted more than a day to thwart Sri Lanka. He hit two sixes and 21 fours in his 369-ball innings.

Fantastic innings

``Malik played a fantastic innings under pressure, but the pitch was good to bat on,'' said Sri Lankan vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, who was named man of the match for his second-innings 185.

The Pakistani opener, whose previous Test-best was 64 against the West Indies at Jamaica last year, completed his hundred in style when he drove spinner Sanath Jayasuriya for a four in the last session.

Malik added 115 for the third wicket with Faisal Iaqbal (60), and 81 for the next with skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq (48). ``Malik played very well and took the pressure off us. It is good that junior players also contributed. It was a team effort,'' said Inzamam.

The second and final Test begins at Kandy on April 3. — AFP

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