At the top of the day’s play in Galle, Pakistan reached 48-3, requiring an additional 83 runs to safe the lead within the two-match sequence. Imam-ul-Haq, standing robust on 25, and captain Babar Azam, but to make an impression at six, have been holding the crease.
The left-arm spinner, Prabath Jayasuriya, made a big impression by dismissing two Pakistani batsmen. Abdullah Shafique fell prey to a catch behind the wickets after contributing eight runs, whereas Shan Masood was dismissed for seven.
Noman was despatched in as nightwatchman however he was run out on nought.
Sri Lanka’s first-innings centurion Dhananjaya de Silva top-scored with 82 earlier than the Pakistan bowlers mixed to dismiss the hosts within the remaining session of the day.
Left-armer Noman and fellow spinner Abrar took three wickets every and, together with Agha Salman’s two wickets, struck common blows.
Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi snared one other two to assist clear up the tail.
De Silva, who scored 122 in Sri Lanka’s first-innings complete of 312, constructed key partnerships together with a 76-run seventh-wicket stand with Ramesh Mendis, who made 42.
Shaheen, a left-arm fast, lastly received de Silva caught behind with a rising supply after Pakistan took the second new ball.
Shaheen received his second earlier than Abrar ended the innings.
Salman despatched again Dinesh Chandimal for 28 to interrupt a 60-run stand with de Silva after which Samarawickrama for 11 to place Sri Lanka in hassle, however de Silva stood agency.
Abrar struck first earlier together with his leg spin to ship again skipper Dimuth Karunaratne for 20 to verify Sri Lanka’s brisk begin.
Batsman Saud Shakeel has remained the star for Pakistan thus far together with his unbeaten first-innings 208 — his maiden Test double century — in his staff’s 461 all out on day three.
Shakeel’s marathon knock handed Pakistan a useful lead of 149 as rain interrupted play on the primary three days.
Rain stayed away on day 4, which began late as a result of a humid patch on the sector.
(With AFP Inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com