Frustration in Abu Dhabi & Chittagong

Kumar passed 200

Pakistan v Sri Lanka
The pitch proved too good and the Pakistani fielding too bad for a positive result to be obtained in Abu Dhabi. The last day was dominated by Sri Lanka - principally by Kumar Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene - and was the only day of five that they clearly held control. The sixth wicket pair grew their partnership to 201, staying in union until just before tea and snuffing out any hope of a Pakistani victory. Sangakkara raised his eighth double hundred in an innings divorced from many of the doubles he has previously scored. He survived chances on the 4th day but was careful and resolute on the 5th, providing no further hope for Pakistan until Azhar Ali trapped him in front with a leg break and claimed his first Test wicket. Mishbar-ul-Haq's act of desperation and exasperation paid an immediate divided.

201 runs for the 6th wicket

Prasanna, who had outscored Sangakkara, had earlier achieved his fourth Test hundred and his first since Cardiff in May of 2010. It followed a lean run, especially in the recent series against Australia which included a pair at Galle. He has returned to No 7 with the solid form of Angelo Mathews creating a swap in their batting positions and he looked more comfortable in the traditional batting wicket keepers spot popularised by Rod Marsh and Allan Knott in the 1970's. He batted with greater freedom on the last day after being dropped as stumps approached yesterday. Down on confidence after the home series against an improving Australia, he was impressive on what has to be said was a dead pitch.

Umar Gul benefited from bowling at the tail before the Pakistan top three showed no interest in an improbable target and limped through until stumps to complete the draw.

The key issues which determined the outcome in Abu Dhabi were the docile nature of the pitch which became flatter and deader each day, the inept catching of Pakistan and a poor umpiring performance by Tony Hill. Test matches need higher standards than these.

Bangladesh v West Indies
No play on day two owing to rain. Unfortunately, tomorrow looks likely to suffer a similar fate.