13 July,2009 08:53 AM IST | | AFP
Seamer Nuwan Kulasekera took a career-best 4-21 as Sri Lanka took early charge of the second Test after bowling Pakistan out for a paltry 90 yesterday.
The tourists, electing to bat on a wicket that provided early assistance to the seamers, slumped to their lowest total against Sri Lanka after being reduced to 19-4 by the seventh over of the match at the P. Sara Oval.
Sri Lanka ended the opening day at 164-3 in reply.
Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul Haq later denied the batsmen lacked temperament at the crease, but admitted such collapses happen with Pakistan. "I don't want to take the credit away from their bowlers, we all got out to good deliveries," Misbah told reporters.
"Kulasekera bowled really well. It was very difficult to play him with the ball seaming about. These things happen with Pakistan. But we look forward to getting Sri Lanka out early tomorrow and (coming) back into the match."
Kulasekera, 26, grabbed 4-71 at Galle, tore through the Pakistani top order in only his eighth Test with three wickets in 15 deliveries at the cost of just three runs.
Kulasekera said he was rewarded for sticking to the basics in helpful conditions.
"There was a lot of help to the seamers in the first session, I just tried to put the ball in the right areas and stuck to the basics," he said.
