Ali, Shehzad lead Pak fightback

Pakistan’s batsmen bounced back after the first innings debacle to throw open the second Test against Sri lanka at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on Saturday. The tourists, who conceded a lead of 177 runs after being dismissed for 138 in the first innings, closed the third day’s play at 171 for two in their second knock.

When bad light halted play an hour early, Pakistan trailed by just six runs with eight wickets in hand, promising a keen tussle between bat and ball over the next two days. Sri lanka, looking for a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Galle, removed Mohammad Hafeez cheaply for eight before lunch, caught in the slips by Kumar Sangakkara off Angelo Mathews.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad hit 69 during a second-wicket stand of 120 with Azhar Ali, the pair batting through the post-lunch session to defy the Sri lankan bowlers. Shehzad was dismissed off the first ball after tea, top-edging a hook off Dhammika Prasad, but Younis Khan joined Azhar to put on 42 for the unbroken third wicket.

Azhar was unbeaten on 64 and Younis, determined to make his 100th match special after falling for six in the first innings, closed the day on a watchful 23.

leg-spinner Yasir finished with figures of six for 96 after last man Dushmantha Chameera was caught superbly by Younis running back , leaving Rangana Herath unbeaten on 18.

Brief Scores

Pakistan: 138 & 171/2 (Azhar Ali 64*, Ahmed Shehzad 69) trail Sri lanka: 315 (Kaushal Silva 80, Angelo Mathews 77; Yasir Shah 6/96) by 6 runs.