Hafeez roars back to form

Published June 30, 2012
Taufeeq Umar declared his intent from the word go, scoring a fluent 65 off 74 balls. -Photo by AFP
Taufeeq Umar declared his intent from the word go, scoring a fluent 65 off 74 balls. -Photo by AFP
Umar smashed twelve boundaries in his breezy innings. -Photo by AP
Umar smashed twelve boundaries in his breezy innings. -Photo by AP
Mohammad Hafeez put behind his effort in Galle in a big way. He too was aggressive in his approach. -Photo by Reuters
Mohammad Hafeez put behind his effort in Galle in a big way. He too was aggressive in his approach. -Photo by Reuters
Umar was eventually dismissed by Angelo Mathews (R), edging a half-tracker to the keeper. -Photo by AFP
Umar was eventually dismissed by Angelo Mathews (R), edging a half-tracker to the keeper. -Photo by AFP
Hafeez (172) put on 256 runs for the unbroken second wicket with Azhar Ali (92 not out) after sharing an opening stand of 78 with Taufeeq Umar (65). -Photo by AFP
Hafeez (172) put on 256 runs for the unbroken second wicket with Azhar Ali (92 not out) after sharing an opening stand of 78 with Taufeeq Umar (65). -Photo by AFP
Hafeez's unbeaten innings included 18 fours and one six and and came off 281 balls. -Photo by Reuters
Hafeez's unbeaten innings included 18 fours and one six and and came off 281 balls. -Photo by Reuters
Azhar was content to play second fiddle at the other end, scoring just six fours, as the second-wicket pair laid the foundation for a big first innings total.
Azhar was content to play second fiddle at the other end, scoring just six fours, as the second-wicket pair laid the foundation for a big first innings total.
?Finally I did something good for my team,? a relieved Hafeez said at stumps. -Photo by AFP
?Finally I did something good for my team,? a relieved Hafeez said at stumps. -Photo by AFP

Mohammad Hafeez roared back to form with a career-best 172 not out as Pakistan made Sri Lanka pay for a failed gamble in the second Test in Colombo on Saturday. Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, took advantage of Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene’s surprise decision to field first on a good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Hafeez led the Pakistani charge with his fifth Test century — and the first after 10 innings — as the tourists moved to a commanding 334 for one by stumps on the opening day. The Pakistan vice-captain has put on 256 runs for the unbroken second wicket with Azhar Ali (92 not out) after sharing an opening stand of 78 with Taufeeq Umar (65).

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