by Supun Perera
There is no doubt that the Sri Lanka's cricket team gained some kind of a " consolation", after their dismal performance in the test series against England when they "Bashed" the tourists in the 3 - match one-day series in a clean sweep. This was indeed a moral booster for the Lankans, since they were on the verge of embarking to that popular " desert venue of cricket" in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates for a tri series which also figured Pakistan and New Zealand.

The "Curtain Raiser" of the tournament was the match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on April 8, 2001. As far as the Pakistan side is concerned, their selection panel had "Blooded" in a few youth whom they consider will become legends.

Waqar Younis the newly appointed captain, had the knack from the first battle when he won the toss and quite obviously preferred to take first lease of the wicket. Pakistan justified Waqar Younis' decision to bat first by piling up an imposing total of 255/09 in their 50 overs. The salient feature of the Pakistan innings was the magnificent half century made by veteran left handed opening batsman Saeed Anwer. He clearly made it apparent that the "old Anwar" is back since he showed scant respect for the Sri Lankan seamers, by sending them on a "Leather Hunt". He was ably supported by "Hefty" Inzaman-Ul-Haq and Younis Khan. They chipped in with 37 and 44 respectively. Anwar went on to make a blistering 90.

Incidentally, the first one-day international was a memorable one for the young lanky former Ananda College and Sri Lanka schools right arm medium pacie, Akalanka Ganegama. He picked up two wickets on his debut. As usual, off-spin "wizard" Muttiah Muralitharan once again "tested" the opposition to the maximum; and they played him with utmost respect and also with a lot of circumspection. Sri Lanka could muster only 234 in their 50 overs and conceded a 16-run victory to Pakistan.

However, the Lankans rose to the occasion against New Zealand and demolished the Kiwis by 106 runs to register their first victory in the tournament. The highlight of the Lankan innings was the partnership between skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and one time vice captain, Mahela Jayawardena. They put on a record 184 runs between them to put the issue beyond the reach of New Zealand. Incidentally, Sanath Jayasuriya equalled his own" milestone" by plundering 30 runs off Chris Harris in the 43rd over. Jayasuriya gave the same treatment to former Pakistan captain Amir Sohail in Singapore 1996 just after the World Cup triumph, in Lahore Pakistan. The Kiwis in their turn showed their "Vulnerability" to the Lankan slow bowlers and were bowled out for 163, despite a stubborn half century by their opening batsman, Mathew Sinclair.

Sri Lanka once again tasted defeat at the hands of Pakistan and New Zealand in the second round, despite a superb rear guard action. Considering the run rate factor, the Lankans were fortunate to reach the final against the high riding Pakistanis.

As far as the final is concerned, Pakistan had a hundred percent success in the preliminary round and were the firm favourites to win the prestigious "ARY" Gold cup. On the other hand, the Lankans were rated "underdogs" to upset Pakistan. The Sri Lankan captain himself admitted, during a pre-match interview, that transformation in batting is necessary to surprise Pakistan in the final.

This time, Sanath Jayasuriya won the all important toss and decided to wield the willow first. After wicket keeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana was run out in the fifth over, Sanath Jayasuriya was joined by Marvan Atapattu. The pair added 114 runs for the second wicket by making the maximum use of "ragged" Pakistan fielding. When Jayasuriya departed, Mahela Jayawardena carried on the ferocious onslaught to humble the tired Pakistanis and together with Atapattu, put on 111 runs for the third wicket. Atapattu regained his lost form to make a fine 89 and Jayawardena contributed an outstanding knock of 67 in just 63 deliveries. The Lankans posted an imposing total of 297/07 which was inclusive of a glorious last ball six by Nuwan Zoysa, off spin wizard Saqlain Mushtaq. The final 10 overs yielded 100 runs for the Lankan total.

Pakistan began a hectic run chase and at one stage they were sitting pretty at 86/02 in just nine overs. Young wicket keeper/batsman Humayun Farhat used the long handle to fetch runs at a rapid pace but the most delightful innings came from the inform diminutive Saeed Anwar. He strode to the wicket at the fall of the first wicket. Anwar continued his excellent form with the bat to worry the Lankans to the greatest extent. His timing, concentration and placement was majestic. The two cover drives he played against the Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa was an absolute treat to watch. From the time it left the bat the ball sped at a lightning pace to the ropes.

On the other hand, Jayasuriya's men never gave up and were not discouraged. They were boosted by some superb ground fielding where Muralitharan, Arnold and Jayawardena were simply outstanding. The catches that Muttiah Muralitharan and Russel Arnold held to dismiss dangerous looking Humayun Farhat and the key batsman Inzimam-Ul-Haq were out of this world. After the dismissal of Farhat and Haq Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals despite a brilliant 62 from Saeed Anwar. Pakistan was ultimately bowled out for 220 in the 41st over, thus conceding a well deserved 77-run victory to Sri Lanka.

The tournament featured well for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, since their youngters made a tremendous impact. The form shown by Shoaib Malik, Humayun Farhat, Kashif Raza, Mohammed Sami augurs well for the future of Pakistan cricket. More importantly it was heartening to see their two experienced campaigners Saeed Anwar and Inzimam-Ul-Haq back in form. It is no doubt skipper Waqar Younis will certainly heave a 'Sigh of relief' as far as these two key batsmen are concerned prior to their next assignment against England.

For Sri Lanka, it was young paceman Akalanka Ganegama who made a big difference in the first game of the tournament against Pakistan on his debut in one-day cricket. He picked up two frontline wickets in quick succession to disturb the strong Pakistan batting lineup.

The champion troops of Sanath Jayasuriya will have a little time of over a month before they "lock horns" with the"High Riding" Indians back home.