Published: Jan 02, 2014, 06:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 02, 2014, 06:31 PM (IST)
Abu Dhabi: Jan 2, 2014
Sri Lanka were left fighting to save the first Test against Pakistan on the third day in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, still trailing by 108 runs at tea.
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was bowled by paceman Junaid Khan for 24 before Kaushal Silva (32) and Kumar Sangakkara (14) consolidated as Sri Lanka reached tea at 71 for one, having started their second innings with a 179-run deficit.
Pakistan were bowled out for 383 an over before lunch, after Sri Lanka had set a first innings total of 204.
Karunaratne looked steady in a 47-run start before he misjudged a delivery from Junaid and was bowled. He hit three boundaries during his 56-ball knock.
Sri Lanka will now look to the experienced Sangakkara, who hit an epic but chancy double hundred against Pakistan to draw a Test at this same venue in 2011, to notch up a big score.
Sri Lanka’s pace and spin attack led the fightback in the first session as Pakistan lost their last six wickets for just 54 runs after resuming the day at 327 for four.
Paceman Shaminda Eranga finished with three for 80 while left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took three for 90 — all his three wickets coming in a span of ten balls on Thursday. Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal grabbed a couple for 99.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq scored 135. He hit 16 boundaries and a six off 306 balls before being last man out, caught at long-off off by Herath.
In all, Misbah batted for 425 minutes and his 218-run partnership with Younis Khan (136) on Wednesday set Pakistan on track for their big lead.
Pakistan lost overnight batsman Asad Shafiq (13) in the fourth over of the day Thursday. He flicked Lakmal to Silva, who took another smart catch at square-leg.
Eranga then accounted for wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal for six before Bilawal Bhatti (14) helped his skipper add 27 for the seventh wicket.
But Bhatti went to Angelo Mathews before Herath dismissed Saeed Ajmal and Rahat Ali off consecutive deliveries to restrict Pakistan’s lead. Test debutant Sachitra Senanayake, included as second spinner, went wicketless.
The second Test will be played in Dubai (January 8-12) and the third in Sharjah (January 16-20).
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 71 for 1 and 204 ( Kaushal Silva 32*, Dimuth Karunaratne 24) trail Pakistan 383 (Younis Khan 136, Misbah-ul-Haq 135; Shaminda Eranga 3 for 80) by 108 runs.
