Shafiq, Ahmed resurrect pak

Published on:

21 Jun 2015, 12:00 am

Sri lanka was struggling at 63-2 in its second innings at stumps on day four of the first test on Saturday, still trailing Pakistan by 54 runs. From an overnight 118-5, Pakistan dominated the day to take a first-innings lead of 117 after finally being dismissed for 417 in reply to Sri lanka's 300 all out.Sri lanka lost Kaushal Silva for five when the first innings century-maker was caught at third slip by Azhar Ali off the bowling of Wahab Riaz.

Middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq was the mainstay of Pakistan's innings, scoring his seventh test century. He was the last man dismissed after a well compiled 131. When Pakistan resumed, it was 182 runs behind Sri lanka. The home team clearly had the edge when play began, but gradually lost its grip. With a handy lead in hand, Pakistan's bowlers were able to put pressure back on the Sri lankans.

Shafiq added 139 runs for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed (96) as the two batsmen played contrasting knocks. Sarfraz required only 45 deliveries to his half-century, hitting eight fours, but Shafiq was cautious as he took 139 balls for his 50 with just two boundaries.Sarfraz was dismissed four runs short of his century when he attempted to play a sweep shot off fast bowler Dhammika Prasad and was bowled. He faced 86 balls and hit 13 fours.

Brief Scores

Sri lanka: 300 & 63/2 (Karunaratne 36*) trail Pakistan: 417 (Sarfaraz 96, Shafiq 131; Prasad 3/91, Perera 4/122) by 54 runs.