Pakistan face formidable target in Sharjah

Pakistan reached stumps on day two of the third Test against Sri Lanka on 19 for none, trailing by 409 runs in Sharjah after failing to get the visitors all out as they declared late in the day.

Sri Lanka called time on their first innings on 428 for nine, taking nearly two agonising days to score the runs but showing steady and determined progress thanks to near-centuries from Angelo Mathews (91) and Dilruwan Perera (95).

The visitors started the day on 220 for five, with Mathews on 24 and Prasanna Jayawardene on 28. Pakistan had done well to take regular wickets the day before, but the morning session saw them remove only Prasanna.

He was out for 35, caught by Junaid Khan off Mohammad Talha, leaving Mathews and Dilruwan to bat for much of the day. The pair put on 112 together over 52 overs, and were only separated before tea, when two quick wickets fell.

Junaid was the man responsible there, bagging Mathews after the skipper had spend more than 10 overs in the 80s. He took 256 balls for his 91 and was bogged down by the home bowling much of the time.

Debutant Dilruwan was most impressive though, picking up the pace in the evening as Shaminda Eranga batted alongside him. He made his 95 off 247 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes. He was Talha’s third wicket.

The declaration arrived five runs after Dilruwan’s departure, leaving Pakistan six overs to survive till the close. They did so without incident, and Khurram Manzoor was on 14 at stumps.