Babar ton restricts SL lead after Jayasuriya’s 5/82

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam made a fighting knock of 119 while Sri Lankan leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya finished with his third straight Test 5 for 82 as the second Test match between the two teams was evenly poised after the second day’s play at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka is leading with 40 runs with nine wickets in hand while skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was dismissed before the end of the final session giving Pakistan an early advantage. However, the second day belonged to Pakistan skipper Babar Azam who hit his seventh Test ton which he played under tremendous pressure to build a stronger innings.

Azam the 27-year-old right-hander played batted at number four and scored 119 in 244 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. Baber Azam, who played the 41st Test and his first time in Galle, made a fighting last wicket partnership with leg spinner Yasir Shah who scored an unbeaten five runs in 52 balls facing 52 balls to add a 70-run stand in 189 balls which was a worrying experience for Sri Lanka ending their innings with a gap of 4 runs.

Sri Lankan bowlers made a tight spell to put pressure on the Pakistan team at one stage on a score of 148 for 9 while Pakistan have bowled out the opponents on 31 overs.

The leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya once again came to the limelight capturing 5 for 82 in his 39-over spell while mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana and off spinner Ramesh Mendis took two wickets each.

Sri Lanka openers Oshada Fernando (17 n.o) and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (16) added 33 runs stand in their second innings while Karunaratne was unfortunately out LBW to leg spinner Mohammad Nawaz 2 overs before stumps.

The night Watchman Kasun Rajitha remained on 3 in 7 balls with Oshada Fernando at the wicket when the two umpires called off the match due to bad light.

Leg Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya bowled well while both team’s tail-enders have played good cricket so far in this game said Silverwood, Sri Lanka Head Coach.