Leg spinner Abrar Ahamed had 4 for 69 while opener Abdullah Shafique made an unbeaten 74 as Pakistan were in commanding position after first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka played at SSC grounds yesterday.
It was very poor batting performance by Sri Lanka team after Galle defeat and they were repeated their poor deeds to reduce to 166 all out in 48 overs. Pakistan came up with a bold reply and were145 for 2 wickets at close in 28.3 overs.
Sri Lanka elected to bat first but started with unfortunate run out as opener Nishan Madushka was back to the pavilion scoring 4 in 9 balls and number three batter Kusal Mendis thrown away his wicket with poor stroke with only 6 runs in 9 balls and this was his third consecutive failure in this Test series. The experienced Angelo Mathews was back to the pavilion scoring 9 in 26 balls while wicket keeper Sarfaraz Ahamed took a catch and leg spinner Naseem Shah took his prized wicket. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne 17 was clean bowled by Nadeem Shah and Sri Lanka were 36 for 4 wickets at one stage.
Dhananjaya de Silva once again came to the fore scoring 57 in 68 balls with 9 fours and a six while Dinesh Chandimal scored 34 tried to build up the innings adding 85 runs fifth wicket stand but tailenders were failed to impress with the bat and Sri Lanka were all out for 166 .
Leg spinner Abrar Ahamed 4 for 69 took the bowling honours while pacemam Nadeem Shah took 3 for 41 also played a good supporting role to restrict Sri Lanka team.
Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam UL Haq were failed to make good start as Asitha Fernando took an early breakthrough to get Imam’s wicket while Nishan Madushka took a very fine catch at gully position. However Shafique (74) and Shan Mashood who scored 51 in 47 balls with 4 fours and a six added 108 runs second wicket stand and Skipper Babar Azam was not out 8 in 21 balls at the wicket. Asitha Fernando was the successful bowler took both wickets given away 41 runs while Dilshan Madushanka the Test debutant given away 28 runs in his 5.3 overs with wicketless at close.
Pakistan were trail by 21 runs expected to make a challenging total while Sri Lanka tried to get early wickets.
Batting coach says no psychologist with Sri Lanka team
Sri Lanka batting coach and Assistant coach Naveed Nawaz said this batting failure was never expected. We had a good plan but Pakistan bowlers did a good job. Batting coach said there is no psychologist with the red ball team and they have all primary level plans which are not executed very well and going to fight today.
Nawaz said top order batting failure has to correct soon while Dhananjaya de Silva played very well and others have to work with him.
“We had discussions with team and come up with good plan but once again top order failure ruined the progress, added Nawaz .
Meanwhile Pakistan Naseem Shah the young paceman said their bowlers did a real good job to remove Sri Lanka for 166 and hope to make a good total for the first innings.
He is working hard to get successful results and all give good support, added pacemam Naseem Shah who took three vital wickets yesterday.