Pakistan would be pleased with the way their bowlers wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings on 388. However, the damage was done yesterday and loss of 3 early wickets in 2nd innings seem to point towards an early end to this game except for the genius of Younis and Misbah who continued to defy the odds with their fightback. The first hour tomorrow may well set the tone for the rest of the day and it will be vital for Pakistan to ensure that they defend stoutly. Another early loss of wickets may well spell the end for their resistance.

By PakPassion Staff (10th January, 2014)

Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field.

Teams:

Pakistan: 1. Khurram Manzoor, 2. Ahmed Shehzad, 3. Mohammad Hafeez, 4. Younis Khan, 5. Misbah-ul-Haq (c), 6. Asad Shafiq, 7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8. Bilawal Bhatti, 9. Rahat Ali, 10. Saeed Ajmal, 11. Junaid Khan


Sri Lanka: 1. Dimuth Karunaratne, 2. Kaushal Silva, 3. Kumar Sangakkara, 4. Mahela Jayawardene, 5. Dinesh Chandimal, 6. Angelo Mathews, 7. Prasanna Jayawardene, 8. Rangana Herath, 9. Shaminda Eranga 10. Suranga Lakmal, 11. Nuwan Pradeep

The morning session followed the plan Misbah and his team would have hoped for as the Pakistani bowlers picked up the final six Sri Lankan wickets for the addition of just 68 runs.

Sri Lanka had added just two runs to the overnight score when Rahat Ali bowled a ball that moved away and caught the edge of Angelo Mathews’ bat, with Sarfraz Ahmed taking a diving catch. Prasanna Jayawardene (9) was the next to go, bowled by Junaid Khan with a ball that straightened. Herath (6) was run out after attempting a suicidal single, Rahat Ali with a good piece of fielding.

Mahela Jayawardene was bowled after attempting a reverse sweep off Saeed Ajmal after scoring a magnificent 129. There had been rumblings about the manner of his dismissals in the first Test, but he has proven his doubters wrong with and played not only under pressure, but with split webbing in his hand which he had picked up fielding in the slips on day one of the Test match. His partnership along with Silva yesterday has been the difference between the two teams.

Eranga (14) under-edged a Bhatti delivery onto the stumps and Pradeep was trapped lbw by Saeed Ajmal as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 388, a first innings lead of 223 runs.

The Pakistani openers had three overs to face before the lunch interval, but Ahmed Shehzad (9), who had scored two boundaries, was adjudged caught behind off Rangana Herath to leave Pakistan 11/1.

It got worse for Pakistan in the afternoon session, as Mohammad Hafeez (1) edged behind to the wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene in the first over after lunch off Pradeep and four overs later, Khurrum Manzoor (6) followed suit off the same bowler and Pakistan were 19/3 and up against it. Hafeez had dropped a regulation edge from Eranga earlier in the day and it wrapped up a poor day for the batsmen making his comeback to the Test arena.

Misbah joined Younis Khan in the middle, which brought a semblance of calmness to Pakistan. However, Sri Lanka appealed for an lbw off Eranga against Misbah but the TV umpire, who has been aggressive in the decision-making all series, spotted evidence of an edge and upheld the original not-out decision.

There were no real alarms after that as the Misbah-Younis partnership continued to dig Pakistan out of trouble taking them to a precarious yet somewhat safer 85/3 at Tea.

A confident looking Younis Khan brought up his fifty off 109 balls with Misbah following suit with 50 off 108 balls. There was some reverse swing on display but both batsmen countered it with all the years of experience they could muster. Sri Lanka persisted with spin/fast bowling attack but dogged determination by both stalwarts saw Pakistan to a relatively safe 132/3 at end of the day's play which was precipitated by bad light. The 4th wicket partnership - currently on 113 - holds the key to Pakistan's fortunes and will be on Sri Lanka's minds as they look ahead to day 4.


Day Three: Fall Of Wickets

Morning Session

5-320 Mathews, 107.2 overs,
6-341 HAPW Jayawardene, 116.3 overs,
7-348 Herath, 117.2 overs
8-365 DPMD Jayawardene, 123.3 overs,
9-377 Eranga, 126.5 overs
10-388 Pradeep, 133.6 overs

1-11 Ahmed Shehzad, 2.5 overs,

Afternoon Session

2-12 Mohammad Hafeez, 3.3 overs,
3-19 Khurram Manzoor, 7.5 overs

Evening Session

2-12 Mohammad Hafeez, 3.3 overs,
3-19 Khurram Manzoor, 7.5 overs

Pakistan would be pleased with the way their bowlers wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings on 388. However, the damage was done yesterday and loss of 3 early wickets in 2nd innings seem to point towards an early end to this game except for the genius of Younis and Misbah who continued to defy the odds with their fightback. The first hour tomorrow may well set the tone for the rest of the day and it will be vital for Pakistan to ensure that they defend stoutly. Another early loss of wickets may well spell the end for their resistance.

Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in Dubai, 2nd Test, Day 4, play to commence at 6:00AM GMT on 11 January 2013.

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