Sri Lanka Bowlers Drag off Unbelievable Triumph in the First Test Match

At some point in a fall down of Pakistani proportions, the hard to believe Galle Test took a absolute U-turn and resolutely went Sri Lanka's way. Pakistan started the day need of 97 with eight wickets in hand later than Salman Butt and first-innings centurion Mohammad Yousuf had looked fine negotiating the last half hour yesterday. Pakistan's problem against left-arm spinners are finely predictable - even Herath's preceding most excellent bowling in Tests had come up to against Pakistan - and he started the slide with his first ball of the day. Yousuf bogus to play a shot, but the bowl went in a straight line on to get the lbw. As a result of the time Thushara and Herath were done with their first spells, Pakistan had gone astray five wickets for 20 runs in 15 overs. There was no imaginable way then for the tail to get the outstanding 77. In particular with Ajantha Mendis yet to bowl, who ended with his first ball a 10-run stand stuck between Abdur Rauf and Umar Gul. The accurate carom ball was just too good for Gul. Mohammad Aamer hung something like for a bit but Herath came back to close the match minutes earlier than lunch, ensuring Galle's reputation of being a dangerous venue to bat last at remained undamaged.