Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 2nd Test Day 3, Highlights: Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali’s half-centuries and more

Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali helped Pakistan cruise back into the second Test on Day Three after Sri Lanka dominated the second day, despite the visitors losing an early wicket. Sudatta Mukherjee brings the highlights of the third day.

Ahmed Shehzad leads the way with his half-century:  Sri Lanka dominated Day Three with Kausal Silva and Angelo Mathews leading from the front with their half-centuries. Pakistan needed their batsmen to emulate the same. However, after Yasir Shah wrapped it up early for Pakistan, bowling Sri Lanka out for 315 with a lead of 177, Mohammad Hafeez came out and played a loose shot. He was caught by Kumar Sangakkara at second slip as Angelo Mathews targeted his weak spot. Shehzad needed to do something of note after a few recent failures. The openers failed in the first innings and Pakistan needed their top order to fire. Shehzad started slowly but was his usual self soon and scored a much-needed half-century. However, he faltered after lunch as he tried to pull a Dhammika Prasad delivery and was caught by Dinesh Chandimal. READ: Yasir Shah becomes quickest Pakistani to 50 Test wickets

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Azhar Ali joins the party: Azhar Ali has played 42 Tests so far. Despite being a senior among the group, Azhar has battled with his consistency. On Day Three, that was not the case. Patience and determination saw Azhar slowly get back in track, as he held the fort from the other end to score his 20th Test half-century. Azhar gave Shehzad support at a crucial moment. He remained not out till the end of the day on 64. READ: Yasir Shah’s 7 for 76: Best figures by a visiting bowler in Sri Lanka

Azhar and Shehzad’s partnership: The lack of partnerships had been hurting Pakistan. It has been individual performances all this time that helped Pakistan overcome dire situations. On Saturday, Shehzad and Azhar’s 120-run partnership for the second wicket led the foundation stone for Pakistan’s revival after a poor first innings. At the end of the day, riding on the duo’s partnership, Pakistan were comfortably sitting in the driver’s seat at 171 for the loss of two wickets. READ: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 2nd Test Day 2, Highlights

Rain, bad light keep tormenting Test cricket: After a few recent amendments to the ODI rules, even Tests could do with some tweaking, especially in the case of rules for weather. Rain, bad weather, poor light once again reared its head. The start of the third day was delayed due to bad weather. The match started 30 minutes late and then ended early as bad light conditions suspended play. Right throughout the series till now, weather has been a discouraging factor. One can only hope that there will enough overs from the last two days for the teams to battle it out. READ: Both openers scoring ducks in the fourth innings of a Test

(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)