2nd Test: Pakistan in charge after bowlers rout Sri Lanka on Day 1 | Cricket News – Times of India

After bundling out Sri Lanka for 166, Pakistan took control of the match and finished the day at 145-2 in Colombo, trailing by 21 runs.
Abdullah Shafique displayed his batting prowess with an impressive knock of 74 runs, while the skipper Babar Azam, not out at eight, accompanied him at the crease when play was halted due to bad light.

Shafique and the left-handed Masood formed a formidable partnership of 108 runs for the second wicket, showcasing their attacking approach and putting Sri Lanka on the defensive.
Pakistan’s bowlers played a crucial role in setting up their dominance, with leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Naseem Shah shining brightly.

Together, they accounted for seven wickets during the second session, contributing significantly to dismissing the Sri Lankan team.
In reply, Imam-ul-Haq fell early for six, but Shafique and Masood hit back with a steady flow of boundaries as Pakistan went about with nearly six runs an over for a large part of their innings so far.
Shafique, who was dropped by Prabath Jayasuriya on 42 off his own bowling, reached his fifty with a majestic six off the same bowler.
Masood raised his fifty off 44 balls, but soon departed as fast bowler Asitha Fernando got his second wicket with Kusal Mendis taking a sharp diving catch at mid-wicket.
Shafique, who survived a close lbw call on 74, stood firm and along with Azam saw the rest of the day through as they went past Sri Lanka’s first-innings total.
Earlier, Pakistan wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings in 48.4 overs after the hosts elected to bat first.
Sri Lanka were in early trouble at 36-4 after play started 30 minutes late due to overnight and early morning rain.
Dhananjaya De Silva, who made 122 and 82 in Sri Lanka’s first Test loss, attempted to hit back in a quickfire knock. He shared a fifth-wicket stand of 85 runs with Dinesh Chandimal, who made 34.
Naseem Shah, who took three wickets, broke the stand after he got Chandimal caught by Haq.
Abrar, who returned figures of 4-69, soon got going with two quick wickets, including de Silva’s, to dent Sri Lanka’s hopes of a turnaround.
De Silva reached his 13th Test fifty and then hit a six off Abrar before the spinner had his revenge by getting him caught at mid-wicket.
De Silva batted with freedom, hitting nine fours and a six in his 68-ball innings, until his departure.
(With AFP Inputs)