Published: Jan 02, 2014, 02:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 02, 2014, 05:08 PM (IST)
Abu Dhabi: Jan 2, 2014
Sri Lanka pace-cum spin attack bowled Pakistan out for 383 in their first innings on the third morning of the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Resuming at 327 for four, Pakistan had looked for a big lead but all three Sri Lankan pacemen grabbed at least a wicket each and spinner Rangana Herath finished with three for 93 to help their team fight back at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Pakistan gained a valuable 179-run lead over Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 204.
At lunch, Sri Lankan openers Dimuth Karunaratne (two) and Kaushal Silva (zero) negotiated the one over from Junaid Khan without any trouble.
Sri Lanka now need another 177 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
It were paceman Shaminda Eranga who took three for 80 and Suranga Lakmal, who finished with two for 99, who led Sri Lanka’s fightback.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq finished with 135 after resuming at 105. He hit 16 boundaries and six off 306 balls before being the last man out, caught at long-off to spinner Herath.
In all, Misbah batted for 425 minutes and his 218-run partnership with Younis Khan (136) on Wednesday that set the tone for Pakistan’s lead.
Pakistan lost overnight batsman Asad Shafiq (13) in the fourth over of the day in a slow start to the proceedings. Shafiq flicked paceman Lakmal straight into the hands of Silva who took another smart catch at square-leg.
Eranga then accounted for wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal for six before Bilawal Bhatti (14) helped his skipper add 27 for the seventh wicket.
Angelo Mathews had Bhatti before Herath dismissed Saeed Ajmal and Rahat Ali off consecutive deliveries to restrict Pakistan’s lead.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 204 (Angelo Mathews 91; Junai Khan 5 for 58) and 2 for no loss trail Pakistan 383 (Younis Khan 136, Misbah-ul-Haq 135; Shaminda Eranga 3 for 80, Rangana Herath 3 for 93) by 177 runs.
