Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 2nd Test Day 2, Highlights: Yasir Shah’s five-for, Kaushal Silva and Angelo Mathews’ half-centuries, and more

Yasir registered his third Test five-wicket haul as Pakistan crawled back despite half-centuries by Silva and Mathews.

Yasir Shah registered his third Test five-wicket haul as Pakistan crawled back in the match, despite half-centuries by Kaushal Silva and Angelo Mathews. Sudatta Mukherjee brings the highlights of the first day. READ: Yasir Shah’s five-for halts Sri Lanka charge against Pakistan in 2nd Test

Kaushal Silva’s half-century: Opener Kaushal Silva once again led from the front, as he hit his eighth Test half-century. In the first Test, Silva scored a century which he followed up with a much-needed half-century. He could have done more but was caught napping and got run out. READ: Wahab Riaz ruled out of Sri Lanka Test series due to hairline fracture

Angelo Mathews’ half-century: As wickets kept falling, skipper Angelo Mathews held fort and scored a gritty half-century helping Sri Lanka increase their lead. The important partnerships with Silva and later on with Dhammika Prasad helped Sri Lanka steady their first innings lead. Live Blog Updates: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Day 2

Dinesh Chandimal, Kithuruwan Vithanage’s poor shot selections: After Silva’s run out, Sri Lanka needed a batsman to form a partnership with Mathews to help the hosts strengthen their position. It should be remembered that the hosts lost the first Test. With the pitch supporting the spinners, Sri Lanka needed their batsmen to put up a good show. However, Dinesh Chandimal’s poor shot selection and Kithuruwan Vithanage’s ill-advised reverse sweep off Yasir Shah were two of the most baffling decisions by players who were expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s chances. Live Cricket Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test at Colombo, Day 2

Yasir Shah’s five-wicket haul: It was always known that the wicket would favour spinners. After Tharindu Kaushal’s show in the first innings, it was expected of Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar to pull off an encore. Yasir picked up crucial wickets including that of Mathews. In the process, Yasir became the quickest Pakistani to pick up 50 wickets in Tests — he did so in nine matches. READ: Yasir Shah becomes quickest Pakistani to 50 Test wickets

(Sudatta Mukherjee is a reporter with CricketCountry. Other than writing on cricket, she spends penning random thoughts on her blog. When she is not writing, you will catch her at a movie theatre or watching some English television show on her laptop. Her Twitter handle is @blackrosegal)

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