Sri Lanka took colossal steps towards taking control of the Test on the second day, despite having lost their last four wickets for 63 in the morning while Naseem and Yasir took 3, 3 wickets and Pakistan batting unit was struggling with the bat.
Things had started so well for Pakistan. Naseem Shah blew Sri Lanka’s for the time being pair away in the first half-hour of play. He originally terminated a horrendous one at debutant Dunith Wellalage’s throat in the fourth over of the day, which the player could battle to second slip, as he attempted to move.
In Naseem’s next over, one more bouncer represented Niroshan Dickwella, who attempted to help the ball around the bend and only manage to give an edge. Dickwella had got to his half-century shortly before, having started the day on 42.
Yasir Shah then took the last two wickets as Ramesh Mendis prevented an all-out lower-order folding, with his 35, during which he struck up a 20-run partnership with No. 10 Prabath Jayasuriya and a 25-run last-wicket stand with Asitha. Still, 378 didn’t appear as though a complete that kept Pakistan out of the game.
The Pakistan top-order however, did not take advantage of the situation. In the second ball of the innings, their form batter Abdullah played a heavy-footed push at Asitha, whose length conveyance took within the edge and cannoned into middle and leg stump.
Babar Azam was out straight away, likewise hacking on, pushing at a full Prabath Jayasuriya delivery that didn’t turn as much true to form, to be out for 16. Imam was also bowled, but this time the bat didn’t meddle. De Silva beat him in the air and slipped the ball into the middle.
From that point, it wasn’t exactly a parade; however, the wickets fell consistently. Mohammad Rizwan was lbw playing back to a faster one from Ramesh. It looked plumb all along however Rizwan burned one of his team reviews.
Fawad Alam struggled to 24 preceding he excessively played back to a sliding Ramesh delivery that hit him in front. Fawad didn’t survey.
Mohammad Nawaz was out a little more than 10 overs later when he edged Ramesh behind. But Pakistan’s best batter of the day was also out before the day’s end. Salman ground his way through the innings, not hitting a boundary in his first 67 balls.
At the point when he hit out, he progressed to pound Jayasuriya over lengthy on, before clearing him for four behind profound square leg.
Salman was more daring from that point forward, especially when he utilized his feet. He got to his maiden fifty off 93 balls, and was out off the last delivery of the day for 62, edging Jayasuriya to slip.
Sri Lanka 378 and 176 for 5 (Mathews 35, de Silva 30*, Naseem 2-29) lead Pakistan 231 (Salman 62, Ramesh 5-47, Jayasuriya 3-80) by 323 runs.