Dubai: Pakistan registered a lead of 164 runs over Sri Lanka in the first inning of the second Test at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
At tea, Sri Lanka has scored 17 for no loss in their second innings as the battle for supremacy in the second Test entered its crucial stage.
Pakistan lost the wickets of their skipper Misbah Ul Haq and Saeed Ajmal in the morning session but consolidated their lead by lunch time.
Haq fell to the fourth ball of the second over of the day from Chanaka Welegedara for 41. His patient knock, which came off 113 balls with just two fours ended when Mahela Jayawardene at slip took a tumbling catch.
Saeed Ajmal and Asad Shafiq took the score to 324 runs with a 41 runs partnership. Welegedara struck again forcing Ajmal on 20 to edge to Angelo Mathews at slip. Mathews had dropped Ajmal when he was on 14.
Asad Shafiq went on to hit his third half century in Tests and put on 70 runs with Adnal Akmal for the seventh wicket.
Dhammika Prasad made Shafiq offer an easy catch to Mahela Jayawardene at gully for 59.
Rangana Herath quickened Sri Lanka’s end taking three quick wickets including that of Akmal, who hit a stubborn 41 runs of 80 balls. Dilshan too returned with figures of 3 for 57.
