COLOMBO: Pakistani batters Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood displayed an impressive performance with half-centuries, leading Pakistan to take the honors on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Monday. After bundling out Sri Lanka for 166, Pakistan finished the day at 145-2, trailing by 21 runs in Colombo.
Shafique, scoring an unbeaten 74, and skipper Babar Azam, on eight, were at the crease when play was halted due to bad light. Shafique’s partnership of 108 runs with the left-handed Masood, who scored 51, put Sri Lanka on the backfoot with their aggressive play.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s bowlers set the tone for their dominance. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Naseem Shah combined to take seven wickets, dismissing the hosts in the second session.
In reply to Sri Lanka’s total, Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq early for six, but Shafique and Masood countered with a flurry of boundaries, maintaining a brisk run-rate of nearly six runs per over.
Shafique, who was dropped on 42 by Prabath Jayasuriya off his own bowling, reached his fifty with a splendid six off the same bowler. Meanwhile, Masood reached his fifty off just 44 balls but was dismissed soon after by fast bowler Asitha Fernando, with Kusal Mendis taking a sharp diving catch at mid-wicket.
Shafique, surviving a close lbw call on 74, held firm and, along with Azam, guided Pakistan past Sri Lanka’s first-innings total.
Pakistani Bowlers Dominate Sri Lankan Batters
Earlier in the day, Pakistan wrapped up Sri Lanka’s innings in 48.4 overs after the hosts elected to bat first. Sri Lanka encountered early trouble at 36-4 due to a delayed start caused by overnight and early morning rain.
Dhananjaya De Silva attempted to revive the Sri Lankan innings with a quickfire knock, partnering with Dinesh Chandimal, who made 34. However, Naseem Shah broke the stand by dismissing Chandimal, caught by Haq.
Abrar Ahmed then made a strong impact with two quick wickets, including the key wicket of De Silva, halting Sri Lanka’s hopes of a resurgence. De Silva scored a brisk half-century before falling to Abrar, who ultimately finished with figures of 4-69.
