Shehzad, Azhar score gritty fifties as Pakistan chop deficit

Agencies Published June 27, 2015

COLOMBO: Gritty half-centuries from Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali steered Pakistan to 171 for two against Sri Lanka when bad light ended the third day of the second Test on Saturday.

Shehzad fell for 69 to the first ball after tea having shared a 120-run second-wicket partnership with Ali (64) who was unbeaten after registering his 20th Test fifty.

Veteran Younis Khan was on 23 not out at the close as Pakistan trailed Sri Lanka by six runs with eight wickets in hand at the P Sara Oval.

Earlier, Pakistan had claimed the last Sri Lankan wicket in the morning session to bowl out the hosts for 315 with leg-spinner Yasir Shah (6-96) dismissing Dushmantha Chameera 15 minutes after a rain-delayed start.

Younis held a good running catch to send back Chameera as Sri Lanka, pressing for a series-levelling victory, took a 177-run first-innings lead.

Shot out for 138 in their first innings, Pakistan did not make a great start in their second either as a leaden-footed Mohammad Hafeez (eight) poked at an Angelo Mathews delivery to be caught by Kumar Sangakkara in the slips.

Shehzad and Ali proved there were no demons in the pitch and they frequently used their feet to negate the threat posed by Sri Lanka's left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Shehzad overcame a blow on his helmet by a Chameera bouncer to bring up his fifty in the 35th over.

The opener, however, perished straight after tea when he edged a pull shot against Dhammika Prasad through to keeper Dinesh Chandimal.

emla khan

Jun 27, 2015 02:51pm

Pakistan is among top teams in tests, they need merely temperament in odis they require to understand the balanc b/w attack n defence.

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Cyrus

Jun 27, 2015 05:11pm

In cricket, like chess, there is an opening a middle game and an endgame.

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gaf

Jun 27, 2015 05:42pm

Pakistan just need to bat end most of the day tomorrow and InshAllah they will win on thd 5th days wicket. Wahab will not be missed as ut will br spinners game. However if the fold like first innings before tea then it will be game set match SL.

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irshad

Jun 27, 2015 05:55pm

Good fight back which has got Pakistan back in the game with a reasonable chance. However, I cannot for the life of me understand why Shehzad swung wildly and madly at the first delivery after tea and lost his wicket in the process. Had he still been there at close of day along with Azhar, it could have put Pakistan in the driver's seat despite conceding a huge first innings lead.

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Blue Saffron

Jun 27, 2015 06:04pm

Although a fight back is always welcome it is indicative of inconsistent performance in Pakistan's case. Psychological issues? Fixing? Just pure carelessness? Who knows. It is just not normal nor enjoyable.

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Asad

Jun 27, 2015 06:52pm

@Blue Saffron I disagree.. In fact I think Pakisan has shown some real character so far this series to make comebacks. They won the first match because of that character and never give up mentality. If they apply themselves again tomorrow Pakisan could actually be in the driving seat with Srilanka having to bat on a 5th day pitch. It's even more heartening to see that it's the new crop Shehzad, Azhar, Asad, Sarfraz, Yasir who have been amongst runs and wickets.

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Asher Sharif

Jun 27, 2015 08:02pm

Well done pakistan team

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Sarah

Jun 27, 2015 08:05pm

We have seen this Test team of Pakistan for last 5 years,so fans have complete faith in Test team about recovery.They have always recovered very quickly.This time is no different.

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Haider Rehman Real

Jun 27, 2015 08:53pm

I think Ahmad Shahzad needs to play more sensibly. He was almost out early in the innings.

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Haider Rehman Real

Jun 27, 2015 08:54pm

IA Pak will win series to be no 3 in tests!

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Blue Saffron

Jun 27, 2015 11:13pm

Comments made here are well taken. Some points of clarifications. International cricket is evolving and some formats include test, ODI, T20. Test cricket is dying and no one has the time to engage with it anymore. With few exceptions, Pakistan cricket's managerial and team performance has been deplorable. Laughable, in fact. They are not even fun to watch and are caught in the past. Fledgling teams have left them behind as well. This game is no different. Typical collapse in one innings and picker upper in the other. Yes, some individuals have done well but that is not how good teams are made. These games should be fun to watch. Not a drag. That is the revenue side of the equation to attract fans in a normal society where cricket equilibrium exists: demand=supply. I dread to watch a Pakistani cricket match not sure which team will show up. The memory of Saeed Ajmal blowing the 2010 T20 semi final is fresh when he gave over 23 runs in last over to lose to Australia.

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Banker

Jun 27, 2015 11:52pm

I badly want to see Younis Khan hits a 100. He has to prove as been saying that he wants to see Pakistan on no. 1 ranking in tests before he retires

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Jun 28, 2015 12:32am

Pakistan have shown good resilience. But the real test will be playing in Eng. SA, Australia and NZ

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jun 28, 2015 03:46am

Well done green-shirts. Keep it up and hang on tough.

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