Sri Lanka stage fightback against Pakistan on Day 2 of 1st Test

Abu Dhabi: Jan 1, 2014

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

Sri Lanka staged a fightback against Pakistan by grabbing two early wickets on the second day of the first cricket Test.

Pacemen Suranga Lakmal and Shaminda Eranga took a wicket each as Pakistan reached 121-3 at lunch in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 204.

At the break, Younis Khan was batting on 23 with skipper Misbah-ul Haq unbeaten on 24 as Pakistan trailed by 83 runs.

Resuming at 46-1, Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez (11) and opener Ahmed Shehzad (38) to irresponsible shots, which gave Sri Lanka the semblance of a chance to restrict Pakistan.

Hafeez had started off well, hitting two straight boundaries off Lakmal before miscuing a drive off the same bowler and was smartly caught at short cover by Kaushal Silva.

Silva, also a wicket-keeper but selected as opener in this Test, dived to his left and caught the ball inches from the ground.

Shehzad also miscued a hook shot and was caught at forward square-leg by Dimuth Karunaratne after hitting three boundaries.

Both Misbah and Younis batted sensibly with Pakistan’s hopes of a big lead resting on their shoulders, adding 38 for the unbroken fourth wicket stand.

The second Test will be played in Dubai (January 8-12) and the third in Sharjah (January 16-20).