Dominant Pakistan took charge of the second Test against Sri Lanka after bundling out the hosts in two sessions for a paltry 166 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Monday.
Babar Azam’s side, already 1-0 up in the two-Test series, batted briskly to further consolidate their position and finished the opening day on 145/2.
Opener Abdullah Shafique (74) and Babar (8) will resume on Tuesday hoping to bat Sri Lanka out of the contest with a big first-innings lead.
Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne was left to rue his decision to bat first after winning the toss.
Naseem Shah (3/41) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/44) dented Sri Lanka’s top order to leave them reeling at 36/4. Young leg spinner Abrar Ahmed, who showed great control, was the most successful bowler with four wickets.
Dhananjaya de Silva top-scored for Sri Lanka with a gutsy 57 but only two other teammates managed double digits.
Pakistan players celebrate after Kusal Mendis’ wicket on Monday. AP/PTI
Pakistan were incredibly sharp in the field taking even half-chances, while Shan Masood ran out opener Nishan Madushka and tailender Prabath Jayasuriya with direct throws.
Pakistan looked in a hurry to score when they came out to bat.
Opener Imam-ul-Haq made six before being caught at gully but Shafique combined in a rapid 108-run partnership with Masood (51) to steady the ship.
Asitha Fernando claimed his second wicket when Masood fluffed his pull shot and Pakistan were threatening to overtake Sri Lanka’s total when bad light stopped play.
Pakistan’s innings started fluently but was quickly dented with the wicket of Imam, who got an inside edge onto the thigh and lobbed the ball to gully for an easy catch.
Despite being given out, Imam surprisingly reviewed the decision, and UltraEdge revealed that there was an inside edge, sending Imam on his way, and wasting one of Pakistan’s reviews in the process.
However, Masood and Shafique started stroking the ball fluently, smashing boundaries at will to wrest control. Just before reaching his half-century, Shafique was dropped by Jayasuriya.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 166 (Dhananjaya de Silva 57; Abrar Ahmed 4/69, Naseem Shah 3/41). Pakistan 145/2 (Abdullah Shafique 74 batting Shan Masood 51;Asitha Fernando 2/41).
Written with Reuters inputs
