Cricket: Waqar rocks Sri Lanka

Pakistan, spearheaded by the fast bowler Waqar Younis, are heading for a big victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final Test in Kandy. At the close of play yesterday, Sri Lanka, trailing by 286 runs on first innings, were tottering at 17 for three in their second, Waqar having taken all three wickets. The paceman virtually ended their hopes of survival by removing Roshan Mahanama for 10, Pubudu Dasanayake for one and Sanjeeva Ranatunga for four. Earlier, fine batting by the century-maker Inzamam-ul-Haq and by Basit Ali saw Pakistan score 357 for nine before they declared. They shared a sixth-wicket stand of 98 in 95 minutes, with Basit scoring 53 off 83. With Pakistan on 297 for eight, Waqar the batsman stepped in to slam 20 off 26 balls. He hit one six and two fours in a 60-run ninth- wicket stand with Inzamam before being finally caught at deep midwicket by Ruwan Kalpage attempting to hit Dharamasena for another six. Inzamam was undefeated at 100 off 125 balls in 197 minutes, which included 12 fours. Pushpakumara and Dharmasena shared eight wickets, but once again it was poor batting which left Sri Lanka in a desperate situation.