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19 March 2024

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 3rd Test Day 2: Pak stutter after Shah claims five wickets

Sri Lanka bowler Dhammika Prasad successfully appeals for the wicket of Pakistan batsman Shan Masood during the second day of the 3rd Test at Pallekele, July 4, 2015. (AFP)

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies
 


Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah claimed his third five-wicket haul of the series but Sri Lanka took the upper hand on day two of the third and final Test by restricting the visitors to 209 for nine at Pallekele on Saturday.

After Azhar Ali (52) showed some fight in an otherwise top order capitulation, Sarfraz Ahmed remained not out after a gutsy 72 to take Pakistan past the 200-mark in the series-deciding contest.

Imran Khan was scoreless at the other end, having survived six balls with Pakistan still 69 runs behind Sri Lanka's first innings total of 278.

Intermittent rain allowed only 68 overs on the second day at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Azhar said Pakistan could still turn the Test in their favour with three days remaining.

“This Test is open and the closer we get to their total, it will improve our chances,” he said. “The third innings of the match is always very important, and if we can get them early, we can turn this match around.

“We are very positive. Our problem today was we were not able to build partnerships. But tomorrow is a new day and time to make a fresh start.”

Sri Lankan coach Marvan Atapattu credited the bowlers for the turnaround after the modest first innings total.

“It's a great comeback from the bowlers,” he said. “The wicket is much better than the scores tell you. It's been disciplined bowling and we've also been good on the field.

“We're really happy with where we are at the moment.”

Resuming on 272 for eight, the hosts put on six runs before losing their last two wickets inside four overs. Shah (5-78) dismissed Nuwan Pradeep as Sri Lanka's last five wickets could only add 30 runs to the total.

Having claimed 22 victims in five innings, Shah will fancy his chances of surpassing Australia spin great Shane Warne's record haul of 26 wickets in a series by a visiting bowler in Sri Lanka.

His team, however, found themselves deep in trouble after losing three wickets in the morning session and could not really recover.

Dhammika Prasad (3-78) troubled the Pakistan openers with his lively pace and was rewarded when he trapped Shan Masood (13) leg before with a yorker.

Pradeep (3-26) tasted success with his third delivery when Ahmed Shehzad (21), caught in two minds, withdrew his bat but not before the ball kissed an edge en route to the wicketkeeper.

Younus Khan (three) made matters worse for the tourists when he set off on a suicide single and could not beat Kaushal Silva's direct throw from short midwicket.

Azhar battled on, as wickets tumbled at the other end, and brought up his 20th test fifty before edging Pradeep to the slip.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq (6), nursing a groin injury, came out to bat at number seven but did not last long, trapped leg before by a Pradeep delivery that angled in.

Sarfraz reached his fifty in 57 balls but Sri Lanka are well set to take a first innings lead which might prove crucial in what could be a low-scoring contest.

Last session

A fine bowling effort from Sri Lanka as Pakistan close Day 2 at 209 for nine in 64 overs. The visitors still trail by 69 runs.

Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep picked up three wickets each while Tharindu Kaushal claimed two.

For Pakistan, Sarfraz Ahmed put on a fine show remaining unbeaten on 72 after Azhar Ali had scored a crucial 52 earlier in the day. 

A brilliant delivery from Kaushal as Ali is trapped in front. Pak 202-9 in 59.5 overs.

Rahat Ali lbw b Kaushal 2 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Sarfraz Ahmed is batting on 66 as Pakistan is 202-8 in 59 overs as they still trail by 76 runs. Rain has stopped play.

Prasad also picks up his third wicket to end Yasir Shah's innings. Pak 197/8 in 56.5 overs.

Yasir Shah c Chandimal b Prasad 18 (37b 1x4 0x6)

A fine innings from Sarfraz though he looked to be in a hurry when he began his innings. Pak 173-7 in 52 overs.

Another one goes immediately for Pakistan as they further slip in to trouble. Adil departs without any contribution. Pak 152-7 in 45.5 overs.

Ehsan Adil lbw b Kaushal 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Pakistan in trouble as they lose Misbah. Great bowling from Pradeep as he picks his third wicket. Pak 151-6 in 45 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Pradeep 6 (17b 1x4 0x6)

A well settled Azhar Ali departs offering a catch at the slips to Karunaratne. Pak 135-5 in 40.5 overs.

Azhar Ali c Karunaratne b Pradeep 52 (96b 8x4 0x6)

Tea

Pakistan suffered a top order collapse to reach tea on 117 for four after leg-spinner Yasir Shah had claimed his third five-wicket haul of the series on the second day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Azhar Ali was batting on 47 with Sarfraz Ahmed (14) at the other end when heavy rain at Pallekele forced an early tea with Pakistan still 161 runs behind Sri Lanka's first innings total.

Resuming on 272 for eight, the hosts earlier added six runs before losing their last two wickets inside four overs.

Shah (5-78) dismissed Nuwan Pradeep as Sri Lanka's last five wickets could only add 30 runs to the total in the series-deciding test.

After claiming 22 victims in five innings, Shah will fancy his chances of surpassing Australian spin great Shane Warne's record haul of 26 wickets in a series by a visiting bowler in Sri Lanka.

His team, however, find themselves deep in trouble after losing three wickets in the morning and one more in the rain-truncated second session of the day.

Sri Lankan paceman Dhammika Prasad troubled the Pakistani openers with his lively pace and was rewarded when he trapped Shan Masood (13) leg before with a yorker.

Pradeep tasted success with his third delivery when Ahmed Shehzad (21), caught in two minds, withdrew his bat but not before the ball had kissed an edge en route to the wicketkeeper.

Younis Khan (three) made matters worse for the tourists when he set off on a suicide single and could not beat Kaushal Silva's direct throw from short midwicket.

Rain forced the players off the field in the 31st over of the innings and soon after play resumed, Prasad trapped Asad Shafiq (15) leg before to put Sri Lanka well on top.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, nursing a groin injury, did not come out to bat and a second rain-interruption soon forced the players off the field again.

Half century for Azhar Ali. Played an important knock under pressure. Pak 126-4 in 38.3 overs.

The rain break did help Lanka as they strike immediately. Prasad traps Shafiq to pick up his second wicket. Pak 91-4 in 31.2 overs.

Asad Shafiq lbw b Prasad 15 (38b 2x4 0x6)

The covers are on the match is halted due to rain.

Partnership reaches 42 as Pakistan reach 87-3 in 30 overs.

Azhar Ali looks poised as he reaches 31. Shafiq on 8. Pak 79-3 in 25 overs.

Shafiq joins Azhar Ali. The duo have to put on a good partnership to revive Pakistan. Pak 51-3 in 20 overs.

Lunch

Pakistan suffered a top order collapse to reach lunch on 45 for three after leg-spinner Yasir Shah had claimed his third five-wicket haul of the series on the second day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Resuming on 272 for eight, the hosts added six runs before losing their last two wickets inside four overs with Shah (5-78) dismissing Nuwan Pradeep as Sri Lanka's last five wickets could only add 30 runs to the total in the series-deciding Test.

After claiming 22 victims in five innings, Shah will fancy his chances of surpassing Australian spin great Shane Warne's record haul of 26 wickets in a series by a visiting bowler in Sri Lanka.

His team, however, find themselves deep in trouble after losing three wickets in the morning session to be still trailing Sri Lanka by 233 runs.

Azhar Ali was batting on six at lunch, which was taken soon after Younis Khan ran himself out to compound Pakistan's crisis.

Sri Lankan paceman Dhammika Prasad troubled the Pakistani openers with his lively pace and was rewarded when he trapped Shan Masood (13) leg before with a yorker.

Pradeep tasted success with his third delivery when Ahmed Shehzad (21), caught in two minds, withdrew his bat but not before the ball had kissed an edge en route to the wicketkeeper.

Younis (three) made matters worse for the tourists when he set off on a suicide single and could not beat Kaushal Silva's direct throw from short midwicket.

That's terrible for Pakistan as Younus runs himself out attempting a quick single. Sri Lanka hold the upperhand as they go into lunch. Pak 45-3 in 18.2 overs.

Younis Khan run out 3 (24b 0x4 0x6)

Pakistan are trailing by 236 with their important man Younis Khan in the middle. Pak 42-2 in 15 overs.

Sri Lanka pacers step up the pressure as Pakistan lose another wicket. Shehzad offers a thin edge to the wicketkeeper deciding to let it go a tad late as Pradeep strikes in his very first over. Pak 40-2 in 11.3 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad c Chandimal b Pradeep 21 (29b 5x4 0x6)

Sri Lanka earn their first wicket after Prasad traps Masood. He really had to stretch his appeal before the umpire raised his finger. Masood goes for a review but is not lucky. Pak 32-1 in 8.5 overs.

Shan Masood lbw b Prasad 13 (33b 2x4 0x6)

It's a steady start for Pakistan reaching 14 for no loss in the first five overs. Sri Lanka wasted one review on Masood when Prasad's delivery had flicked his shirt to the keeper. 

Shan Masood and Ahmed Shehzad open for PaKistan while Dhammika Prasad begins the proceedings for the Lankans.

Sri Lanka innings

Shah becomes the first Pakistan player to claim three consecutive five-wicket hauls as Sri Lanka are bowled out for 278 in 89.5 overs.

Nuwan Pradeep lbw b Yasir Shah 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)


Rahat strikes with Sri Lanka making an unsuccessful review after Kaushal is adjudged leg before. SL 277-9, 89 overs.

Tharindu Kaushal lbw b Rahat Ali 18 (37b 3x4 0x6)

Dimuth Karunaratne's second Test century lifted Sri Lanka to 272 for eight against Pakistan after Yasir Shah exposed their frailties against leg-spin on the opening day of the series-deciding third and final Test in Pallekele on Friday.

At 106 for one in the second session, Sri Lanka looked poised for a big first-innings total before Shah, who took 17 wickets in the first two matches, tormented them again with his flight and variation to claim four for 77.

Tharindu Kaushal was batting on 17 with Suranga Lakmal (one) after Shah had wrecked the top order and part-time leg-spinner Azhar Ali claimed two late wickets in two balls to peg back the hosts.