Solid Sri Lanka Put Pakistan Under Pressure

Solid Sri Lanka Put Pakistan Under Pressure

Kaushal Silva hits out during his innings of 39 on day two in Sharjah

©REUTERS / Action Images

Sri Lanka 413 (Sangakkara 144, Dilshan 92) v
Pakistan 35-2 (Herath 1-1)
Third Test, Sharjah, day two
Scorecard | Day One

Sri Lanka pressed home an advantage on day two of the third and final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah, batting well into the day to be bowled out for 413 before Pakistan closed on 35 for two.

Kumar Sangakkara went on to make 144 and after his dismissal, circumspect batting from the rest of the batsmen pushed Sri Lanka past 400 while two late wickets put Pakistan under pressure.

The wickets of in-form openers Mohammad Hafeez (6) and Taufeeq Umar (19) capped off a solid day's work from Sri Lanka, who must win the match if they are to tie the series.

Sri Lanka resumed the day on 245 for two and lost the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene for 39 when he was trapped in front by Junaid Khan and Sangakkara fell when he played an uncharacteristically ill-judged shot as he skied Saeed Ajmal straight up into the air and was easily taken by Younus Khan at slip.

Just prior to that dismissal, Angelo Mathews, who had made 17 in 70 balls, edged Abdur Rehman to Adnan Akmal and although debutant Kosala Kulasekara played some good shots, he could make just 15 before he was trapped in front by Ajmal, completely misjudging the line of a spinning delivery.

With the ball reverse swinging, Umar Gul trapped Suraj Randiv in front for one before ending Sri Lanka's innings by clean bowling Chanaka Welagedara for nought.

Kaushal Silva hit 39 in 124 balls as Sri Lanka's recognised batsmen batted patiently but he fell when he was caught by Azhar Ali off Ajmal while Dammika Prasad's effort of 17 wnded when he was caught by Ajmal off Junaid.

Rangana Herath was the most energetic of the Sri Lankan batsmen but he was left stranded having made 34 not out in 35 balls.

Welagedara then made up for failing to score by inducing Hafeez to edge but it took an outstanding catch by Jayawardene diving to his right to ensure the wicket was taken.

And Sri Lanka's day finished strongly when Taufeeq was sharply stumped by Silva after he was beaten in the flight by Herath.

Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan also weighed in with 92 on the opening day after Sri Lanka won the toss.

© Cricket World 2011