SK Flashback: Zaheer Khan rips through the Sri Lankan batting line-up in Margao

Russel Arnold keeps the Lankan fight alive

Arnold’s inning got things back in order for the visitors

Wirey left-hander Russel Arnold, who is more renowned now for his thoughtful commentary, was once a pretty handy middle order batsman too and specialised in bailing his team out of troublesome situations. This occasion was much the same.

Walking in at 91 for 5 in the 24^th over with all the big guns back in the shed, he set about his task of reviving the innings in the company of Dilshan, who didn’t use to open the innings in those days and was a lower middle order batsman instead. The duo combined to add 89 runs for the sixth wicket in 18 overs at almost five runs per over to bring the innings back on track and give the score some respectability.

Despite losing Dilshan in the 42^nd over, quickly followed by the wickets of Maharoof and Bandara, Arnold held one end tight and finished unbeaten on 66 to take Sri Lanka’s total to 230 at the end of 50 overs.

Zaheer Khan, who had started the slide with 3 wickets in his first spell, came back to bowl an outstanding final spell of 2 for 11 in 3 overs to finish with magical figures of 5 for 42 off his 10 overs.