Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad struck crispy half-tons to help Pakistan get close to the 177-run first innings lead of Sri Lanka on the third day’s play at P. Sara Oval grounds.
The two stylish right-handers stroked a fluent 120-run stand for the 2nd wicket on a day where Pakistan batters finally played to their potential during this whole Test match. Pakistan were just 6 runs behind the Lankan lead with 8 wickets remaining when play was stopped due to bad light at around 4.26pm.
Earlier in the first session, the start of play was delayed by 30 minutes due to a morning shower and the match was finally started at 10.30. Pakistan spent only 15 minutes and 3.1 overs to wrap the Lankan innings when Yasir Shah claimed his 6th wicket dismissing Dushmantha Chameera who went for a slog sweep but only found Younis Khan who ran behind and took an exceptional catch. The last pair added another 11 runs to increase the first innings lead to 177.
Pakistan made a disastrous start when Mohammed Hafeez (8) poked at a harmless delivery bowled by Angelo Mathews in the fourth over and the edge was easily taken at first slip by Kumar Sangakkara.
During the second session, the right-handed batting duo batted innocuously which helped the Pakistani’s to go into the break without losing a single wicket.
The Lankan spin twosome, Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal were ineffective with less help from the surface though occasionally they made it difficult for the visiting batting pair. Kaushal was always attacking from around the wicket angle with a 2-7 on-side field.
Shehzad and Ali had to go through tough times when Dushmantha Chameera’s fiery spell of bouncers tested their ability to play on the back foot. The very first ball after the tea break, the well-set Ahmed Shehzad lost his composure and going for a lazy pull shot off Dhammika Prasad, skied behind the stumps which was grasped by wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal. Shehzad stroked a responsible 69 off 154 deliveries with 4 fours and a six.
Younis Khan looked poised during his brief stay of 23 off 35 balls stroking classic drives through the cover region off the young off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal. Azhar Ali cracked his 20th Test half-ton and is batting brilliantly unbeaten on 64 off 152.
Rain threatened to halt the play on a gloomy Saturday yet the game is evenly poised and looking for a tight finish with two days remaining.
Pakistan – 138 all out in 42.5 overs: Mohammed Hafeez 42, Azhar Ali 26, Tharindu Kaushal 5/42, Dhammika Prasad 3/43.
Sri Lanka – 315 all out in 121.3 overs: Kaushal Silva 80, Kumar Sangakkara 34, Angelo Mathews 77, Dhammika Prasad 35, Yasir Shah 6/96.
Pakistan (2nd inn) – 171/2 in 59 overs: Ahmed Shehzad 69, Azhar Ali 64*, Younis Khan 23*, Angelo Mathews 1/5, Dhammika Prasad 1/46.
