A balanced day overall for both teams. Sri Lanka had the upper hand in the first session after they claimed the openers wickets cheaply and then Azhar Ali just before lunch. The experienced pair of Misbah and Younis bailed Pakistan out of trouble once again but it was the masterclass of Younis, who reached his 24th Test hundred, which has provided the real basis for a good Pakistan 1st innings total. He was aided by the impressive and ever reliable Asad Shafiq who provided good support with his 55* under pressure.

By PakPassion.net Staff (6th August, 2014)

Toss: Pakistan 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. Upul Tharanga, 2. Kaushal Silva, 3. Kumar Sangakkara, 4. Mahela Jayawardene, 5. Angelo Mathews, 6. Kithuruwan Vithanage, 7. Niroshan Dickwella, 8. Dilruwan Perera, 9. Dhammika Prasad, 10. Rangana Herath, 11. Shaminda Eranga


Morning Session

Pakistan decided to go with the same side that won the historic second Test Match against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. A solid middle order with four specialist bowlers was the strategy for the away team.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first after start was delayed by wet outfield caused by overnight rain. Misbah stated the decision to be a difficult one as the pitch seemed to have dried out.

The visiting team lost both their openers early to Dhamika Prasad who was swinging the new ball, which meant Azhar Ali and Younis Khan had to clean up the mess and recover. They took the score past 50 until Rangana Herath produced a beauty of a delivery to clip Azhar Ali's Off Stump. Pakistan were 56-3 which bought the skipper Misbah-ul-Haq in yet another difficult situation to join Younis Khan at the crease.

At Lunch Pakistan were 59-3, with Younis Khan on 21* and Misbah-ul-Haq on 0*


Afternoon Session

Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan started the post lunch session by blocking a few overs. Angelo Mathews bowled one that nipped off the seam to hit Misbah in front which was reviewed by Sri Lanka. The ball was clipping the bails which went in the favor of the Pakistani skipper.

Younis Khan hit Dhamika Prasad for 3 consecutive boundaries to bring up his 50. After his 50 and slow start to the second session Younis opened up and started picking up singles off the spinners including a massive six over cow-corner to Parera.

The experienced pair who also have the best average in Tests at No.4 and No.5 batting positions since 2010 once again proved why they are considered world class. Pakistan managed to survive the session without losing any further wickets and scoring 81 runs.

At Tea Pakistan were 140-3, with Younis Khan on 77* and Misbah-ul-Haq on 22*


Evening Session

Misbah and Younis started strongly to bring up the 100 partnership. Misbah fell to a ripper by Herath which took the outside edge and bought the end of Misbah at the crease for 30 runs. Asad Shafiq was the next man in who had an average of 17.88 in last ten innings with highest of 23 runs (before this match).

Asad Shafiq started his innings positively, taking the attack to bowlers as Younis Khan continued to bat brilliantly and completed his 24th Test hundred.

The new ball was taken after 80 overs as Asad Shafiq reached his 9th Test fifty also taking Pakistan's score to 250-4. Pakistan survived 8 overs with the new ball and ended Day 1 on 261-4.

At Stumps Pakistan were 261-4, with Younis Khan on 133* and Asad Shafiq on 55*

Day One: Fall Of Wickets

Morning Session

1-3 Ahmed Shehzad, 1.3 overs,
2-19 Khurram Manzoor, 5.4 overs,
3-56 Azhar Ali, 21.6 overs

Afternoon Session

No Wickets

Evening Session

4-156 Misbah-ul-Haq, 57.4 overs


Summary Day 1:

A balanced day overall for both teams. Sri Lanka had the upper hand in the first session after they claimed the openers wickets cheaply and then Azhar Ali just before lunch. The experienced pair of Misbah and Younis bailed Pakistan out of trouble once again but it was the masterclass of Younis, who reached his 24th Test hundred, which has provided the real basis for a good Pakistan 1st innings total. He was aided by the impressive and ever reliable Asad Shafiq who provided good support with his 55* under pressure.

Pakistan did well in the end to only lose 4 wickets and would be looking to post a 400+ score tomorrow.

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