Not the fireworks some were hoping for from a Pakistan side that need a victory to square the Test series and the consistent Sri Lankan bowlers, backed by a tidy fielding effort, ensured they maintained control of the match and the series. Shehzad the main positive for Pakistan, his 147 easing his and the team's recent opening woes.

By PakPassion staff (18th January, 2014)

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

Teams:

Pakistan: 1. Khurram Manzoor, 2. Ahmed Shehzad, 3. Azhar Ali, 4. Younis Khan, 5. Misbah-ul-Haq (c), 6. Asad Shafiq, 7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8. Abdur Rehman, 9. Mohammad Talha, 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. Dilruwan Perera

Pakistan started the day knowing there were only three days remaining in the match and a first innings deficit of over 400 to overcome but only four boundaries were struck in the whole session, suggesting wickets in hand was the order of the day.

There were a few chances for Sri Lanka, including a shout for caught behind off Shehzad which Mathews rightly decided not to refer, and a run-out opportunity which would have seen the batsman on his way had the fielder hit.

However, overall the pitch had no demons and Manzoor and Shehzad looked secure against the Sri Lankan pacers and more importantly, Rangana Herath to take Pakistan to 85/0 at lunch, with Khurram Manzoor on 41 and Ahmed Shehzad 42.

It was much of the same after lunch for Pakistan until 12 overs when Manzoor tickled a ball leg-side to the wicket-keeper for 52 (125). The batsman decided to refer as there was a bit of pad involved but replays showed an edge and the opener was sent on his way.

Azhar Ali, making his return to the side after replacing Mohammad Hafeez, came out to bat at number three and did not look secure at any point as he edged the sixth delivery he faced just short of slip off Perera. He survived, but a few overs later the spinner had his man as he tempted Azhar Ali (8) into a drive but the batsman didn't get to the pitch and edged behind to Angelo Mathews at slip. Ali did decide to review, although the grounds for making such a decision confounded many.

Shehzad at the other end continued to look secure, although Sri Lanka did have a review for lbw against him for which Hawkeye adjudged the ball to be missing leg stump, as the experienced Younis Khan joined him at the crease.

At the interval, Pakistan were 169/2, trailing by 259, with Ahmed Shehzad closing in on a century with 94 and Younis Khan 8.

Shehzad completed his maiden Test century early into the final session of the day and celebrated with a leap of joy. The innings had been hard graft, but it had held the Pakistani reply together, particularly given Younis Khan walked after edging Herath behind for 17. Shehzad wasn't phased by the loss of his senior partner, smashing Eranga straight for six a couple of overs later but mindful he was close to his 150, he went for a reverse sweep and was bowled by Herath, who had removed the key men – Khan and Shehzad – to ensure Pakistan were not able to set themselves to accelerate later in the innings.

Shehzad's 147 off 275 balls came after many were calling for his head after a string of low scores, despite only making his Test debut in this series and he has no doubt bought himself some time to settle into the longer format.

Misbah and the out-of-sorts Shafiq looked to build a partnership that would allow Pakistan to rekindle their hopes in this Test, but Shafiq scores just 18 before he was given lbw to Eranga. Hawkeye showed the ball was clipping leg stump and the batsman was sent on his way. That was Eranga's second wicket and was rewarded for some persistent on a flat track.

Sri Lanka ensured that the session and the day truly belonged to them after Herath had Sarfraz caught behind off what ended up being the final ball of the day. Pakistan had lost four wickets in the evening session ending the day on 291/6, trailing by 137 runs with Misbah at the crease on 36.


Day One: Fall Of Wickets

Morning Session
No wickets.

Afternoon Session
1-114 Khurram Manzoor, 48.3 overs,
2-149 Azhar Ali, 57.6 overs

Evening Session
3-189 Younis Khan, 69.6 overs,
4-245 Ahmed Shehzad, 81.6 overs
5-274 Asad Shafiq, 92.1 overs
6-291 Sarfraz Ahmed, 95.3 overs

Not the fireworks some were hoping for from a Pakistan side that need a victory to square the Test series and the consistent Sri Lankan bowlers, backed by a tidy fielding effort, ensured they maintained control of the match and the series. Shehzad the main positive for Pakistan, his 147 easing his and the team's recent opening woes.

Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in Dubai, 3rd Test, day four to commence at 6:00AM GMT on 19th January, 2014.

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