Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test in Dubai, Day 4: Lanka scent win as Pakistan hang on

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq fell just short of his sixth test century but his team clung on to their slim hopes of salvaging the second test against Sri Lanka after a stirring rearguard action in Dubai on Saturday.

Pakistan resumed the fourth day's play trailing Sri Lanka by 91 runs with seven second-innings wickets in hand but Misbah's dour 97 and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed's defiant unbeaten 70 powered them to 330 for seven when heavy drizzle forced an early close.

Ahmed and Saeed Ajmal (seven), whose bowling on the final day could prove crucial, will return on Sunday hoping to stretch the team's 107-run lead and hope for rain on a day with a cloudy forecast.

Resuming on 132 for three, the responsibility for erasing the deficit was on two of Pakistan's senior batsmen, Misbah and Younis Khan.

The duo adopted contrasting approaches with Younus's fluency complimented by Misbah's doggedness which frustrated the Sri Lankans for nearly an hour as Misbah needed 37 deliveries to score his first run of the day.

Younis, who stood well outside the crease to negate any swing, hit Suranga Lakmal through extra cover for the first boundary of the day but runs were not easy to come by.

The former Pakistan captain was lured in by the width of a Lakmal delivery and miscued a cut shot to give Prasanna Jayawardene his fourth catch of the innings.

Younis, who made a fluent 77 off 173 balls with five boundaries, added 129 for the fourth wicket with Misbah who looked unperturbed by the slow run rate.

Misbah added 52 more runs with Asad Shafiq (23) who fell to Shaminda Eranga with the new ball.

The 39-year-old right-hander occasionally broke the shackles, hitting Rangana Herath's first ball of the day to the midwicket boundary but the stocky left-arm spinner had the last laugh.

Swept for a four in the first delivery of another over, Herath sent down the third from round the wicket and spun it past Misbah's tentative blade and on to off-stump.

It took a nearly unplayable delivery to end Misbah's painstaking 248-ball vigil, which included eight fours and a six, before the tea break.

Herath says Sri Lanka is looking to restrict Pakistan so that he and his team-mates would be chasing less than 150 on the final day.

"So far the wicket behaviour is like 50-50. They (Pakistan) are 107 runs ahead. If we can get them out under 150, I'm sure we will have a chance," said Herath.

"For me it is still looking a good track. But I'm sure there will be some support for the spinners because it will be the fifth day," he added.

The Sri Lanka spinner was delighted to get the key wicket of Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

"Actually we needed that wicket because he is the one who batted really well. We got Younis (Khan) and we planned to get Misbah's wicket. I bowled one good delivery and apart from that I could not get much spin from this pitch," said Herath.

Bilawal Bhatti braved an injured hamstring to score 32 runs but could not lock an Eranga yorker which knocked off the bails.

Sarfraz reached his maiden fifty, however, the rookie stumper hitting seven boundaries in his unbeaten 123-ball knock.

EVENING SESSION

Pakistan fought hard on day four as they made 330 for seven in 123.3 overs before bad light stopped play against Sri Lanka in the second Test.

Pakistan now lead by 107 runs as Sarfraz Ahmed remained unbeaten on 70.

Sri Lanka bowlers toiled hard all day with Shaminda Eranga being the exceptional one claiming two wickets while Ranganna Herath removing the all important wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq.

Earlier, Suranga Lakmal broke the dangerous partnership after he removed Younis Khan (77).

Play has been stopped. There has been slight shower and the light seems to be fading. Pak 330-7 in 123.3 overs.

Pakistan lead by 103 runs as Sarfraz reaches a gritty 65. Pak 326-7 in 123 overs.

A lovely inswinging yorker from Eranga and Bhatti's stumps are shattered. Pak 312-7 in 117 overs.

Bilawal Bhatti b Eranga 32 (75b 4x4 0x6)

Pakistan lead by 81 runs as Pakistan cross 300. Pak 304-6 in 113 overs.

Partnership crosses 50. Very important one as Pakistan now lead by 72 runs. Sharfraz on 52. Pak 295-6 in 111.2 overs.

Pakistan's lead reaches 57 after fine partnership of 35 between Sarfraz Ahmed and Bilawal Bhatti. Pak 280-6 in 105 overs.

Sri Lanka had a fair session picking up the important wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq.

Pakistan skipper missed his century by just three runs as Pakistan posted 265-6 in 102 overs at tea.

The hosts lead by 42 runs with Sarfraz Ahmed batting on 39 and Bilawal Bhatti on 8.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Pakistan leady by 35 runs. Pak 258-6 in 100 overs.

It's the big wicket as Misbah is unlucky to miss out on his century. Herath bowls him. Pak 245-6 in 95.3 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq b Herath 97 (248b 8x4 1x6)

Misbah and Sarfraz share a partnership of 41 runs. The Pakistan skipper on 93. Pak 241-5 in 95 overs.

Pakistan take lead as Misbah reaches 87. Pak 226-5 in 90 overs.

Misbah reaches 80 as Pakistan still trail by 11 runs. Pak 212-5 in 85 overs.

Sri Lanka acheive success in the new ball. Shafiq is gone as he edges to the second slip. Pak 200-5 in 81.3 overs.

Asad Shafiq c Karunaratne b Eranga 23 (75b 3x4 0x6)

Partnership between Misbah and Shafiq reaches 50. Pak 198-4 in 80 overs.

Misbah is given out after he is trapped leg before by Eranga. But he goes for the review and wins it. The ball was missing the leg stump. Pak 195-4 in 77.1 overs.

Pakistan trail by 34 runs. Pak 189-4 in 75 overs.

MORNING SESSION

Sri Lanka grabbed the vital wicket of Younis Khan on the third morning as Pakistan battled for survival in the second Test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.

Sri Lanka grabbed the vital wicket of Younis Khan on the third morning as Pakistan battled for survival in the second Test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.

Pakistan were 189 for four at lunch with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq unbeaten on 74 off 190 balls (7 fours, 1 six) and Asad Shafiq on 19 not out.

Pakistan trailed Sri Lanka  by 34 runs on the first innings with six second innings wickets in hand.

Resumed at 132 for three Pakistan were clearly intent on occupying the crease.

Overnight pair Younis and Misbah carried their fourth wicket partnership to 129 before Sri Lanka achieved their only success of the morning.

Younis who played a disciplined innings for 235 minutes suddenly lost his concentration and went to cut a delivery wide outside off stump off Suranga Lakmal and offered Prasanna Jayawardene a straight forward catch giving the wicket-keeper his eighth victim of the match.

Younis made 77 off 173 balls with five fours.

Pakistan have done well in the first session as they trail by just 34 runs, but Sri Lanka managed to break the threatening partnership by removing Younis Khan.

Pakistan still have a big task on hand at 189 for 4 in 74 overs and need another partnership going. Misbah (74) and Asad Shafiq (19) have already put on 41 runs for the fifth wicket and are looking good.

Pakistan are trailing by 45 runs. They still have a Herculean task to complete. They need another big partnership going and Shafiq looks to be doing that with Misbah. Pak 179-4 in 70 overs.

A fine shot to the ropes from Asad Shafiq. The new ball is due anytime soon. Pak 159-4 in 65 overs

Misbah scores a boundary as Pakistan cross 150. Misbah batting on 60. Pak 158-4 in 62 overs.

A big wicket for Sri Lanka as they manage to break the partnership. Younis Khan was looking good. Pak 148-3 in 59 overs.

Younis Khan c P Jayawardene b Lakmal 77 (173b 5x4 0x6)

Younis Khan and Misbah have an uphill task on the day four as this partnership is crucial for Pakistan.

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