Pakistan extends lead despite Welegedara's double

Pakistan's Asad Shafiq plays a shot during the third day of their second cricket test match against Sri Lanka in Dubai October 28, 2011 (REUTERS)

Published Friday, October 28, 2011

By AFP

Pakistan extended their lead to 134 in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka, despite a double strike by paceman Chanaka Welegedara on the third day at Dubai Stadium here on Friday.

The left-arm paceman gave Sri Lanka th early edge by dismissing Misbah-ul Haq (41) in the second over of the day and nightwatchman Saeed Ajmal (20) after Pakistan resumed at 281-4.

Asad Shafiq, 50 at the break, and Adnan Akmal with an unbeaten 22 took Pakistan to 373-6 in their first innings by lunch, and with four wickets in hand they looked set for another 200-plus lead.

Pakistan, who dismissed Sri Lanka for another low score of 239 on day one, had looked to their captain Misbah to steer them to big lead, but the experienced batsman fell caught behind, chasing a wide delivery from Welegedara.

Misbah hit two boundaries and a six.

Ajmal frustrated Sri Lankan bowlers, adding an invaluable 41 for the sixth wicket before Welegedara produced a sharp outgoing delivery and the ensuing edge was well taken by Angelo Mathews in the slip.

Shafiq, initially cautious, then opened up by hoisting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath over long-on for a six and ath other end Akmal drove Welegedara twice to cover boundaries.

In the same Welegedara over Shafiq hit another boundary to get Pakistan lead past 100-mark and then with a couple in Herath's over reached his third Test half-century. He has so far hit four boundaries and a six.

The first Test of the three-match series in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw. The third and final Test will be played in Sharjah from 3-7 November.

Scorecard

Sri Lanka 1st innings 239 (K. Sangakkara 78, C. Welegedara 48; Umar Gul 3-78, Saeed Ajmal 3-45)

Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 281-4)

Mohammad Hafeez lbw b Prasad 33

Taufiq Umar c Silva b Prasad 27

Azhar Ali lbw b Dilshan 100

Younis Khan b Dilshan 55

Misbah-ul Haq c Jayawardene b Welegedara 41

Saeed Ajmal c Mathews b Welegedara 20

Asad Shafiq not out 50

Adnan Akmal not out 22