Lanky pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed his maiden five-wicket haul to lead Pakistan’s fightback after Sri Lanka gained a crucial lead in the second Test in Karachi on Friday.
The 19-year-old pacer took five for 77 and was ably supported by new-ball partner Mohammad Abbas (4/55) to keep Sri Lanka down to 271 on a tricky National stadium pitch.
That gave the visitors a lead of 80 runs over Pakistan’s first innings total of 191. By close of second day’s play Pakistan had wiped off 57 of the deficit for no loss but still trail by 23 runs with all 10 wickets in hand and three days to play.
Opener Abid Ali — who became the first batsman ever to hit a debut hundred in both Test and ODI — was unbeaten on 32 along with Shan Masood on 21.
The first Test in Rawalpindi ended in a draw due to bad weather, leaving both teams to fight it out for the series win in Karachi. The series is part of the ongoing World Test championship with nine teams competing. The top two teams will play the final in June 2021.
Sri Lanka fought through Dinesh Chandimal who made 74 and Dilruwan Perera who made a fighting 48 batting at No.9.
Chandimal was finally dismissed by part-time spinner Haris Sohail, caught at backward point after he mistimed a cut.
