Yesterday I wrote about two very different all-rounders, including the new super-patient Test batsman that is Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews. Today, that caution proved his side's downfall as yet again they chucked away a series they seemed sure to win following their emphatic nine-wicket win at Dubai International.
In Sharjah, Mathews won the toss and batted stolidly for almost two days for only 428-9 declared. It was like the 1970s all over again, with two Pakistan spinners twirling away for more than 50 overs apiece, each with an economy rate of barely two. Ahmed Shehzad's century helped his side post a competitive reply before Sri Lanka battened down the hatches again for an excruciating 101 overs. Declaring on the final afternoon, Angelo must have believed Pakistan wouldn't attempt what would have been for them a near-record fourth innings run chase of 302 in a maximum 59 overs. On a spinners' wicket, too. He was wrong...
The openers set off in ODI mode but at 48-2, there was still a lot to do. Azhar Ali compiled an excellent hundred, albeit containing only six boundaries. The strokes came instead from Sarfraz Ahmed and the redoubtable skipper Misbah-ul-Haq. Seamer Lakmal (Test average now over 53!) and spinner Herath came in for a pasting while Ali held firm at the other end. Sarfraz fell just short of 50 with a slightest of leg-side tickles to the 'keeper but his captain maintained the required strike rate to keep Pakistan on course. The number three was also caught behind going for a big hit just seven short of the target but Misbah proceeded to win the match and square the series with nine balls to spare.
Never before had they achieved a last-day victory with such a strike rate and only in the classic 1994 Karachi climax against Australia did they score more in the fourth innings to snatch glory from the jaws of defeat. Ali received the Man of the Match award but so much credit must go to his leader on the pitch. Misbah's second 60+ of the game broke Sri Lankan hearts and spirits, but despite his 135 and 97 in the previous fixtures, it was his opposite number who took the individual series award. Both held the shared trophy aloft afterwards.
So it was another Test series giving us an exciting finale but, let's face it, the first 4 1/2 days were poor entertainment unless you enjoy endless spin bowling and defensive batting. In the end, Pakistan's stroke players won the day, and Misbah, closing in on his 40th birthday, is playing better than ever. His belated Test career has yielded 30 half-centuries in only 80 innings. Mostly batting at six, he has fourteen not-outs to his name, boosting his average to 48.75. He has also proved an invaluable one-day batsman, despite never having reached three figures in 128 ODI innings. Alastair Cook may be jaded but the old man from Mianwali appears the picture of health and happiness.
