Tea Pakistan 214 for 3 (Arif 57, Babar 50, Rathnayaka 1-31) vs Sri Lanka
The run price dipped sharply, however below hazy skies with the momentum of the primary session slipping away, what mattered most for Pakistan was Sri Lanka being held at bay with out having the ability to add to the wickets column.
These hopes melted away within the following over, when Madushanka obtained each line and size bang on, seaming away from off stump. Babar drove at it with arduous arms, failing to reckon with the sideways motion, and tickled it via to the keeper.
The morning had begun with a scorching opening partnership that noticed Pakistan run up 137 in an eventful first session.
Sri Lanka received the toss on a vivid sunny morning, and opted to insert Pakistan in, Kusal Mendis’ eyes lighting up on the inexperienced strip he wished his bowlers to take advantage of. However the floor turned out to be a lot much less deadly and the Sri Lankan bowlers far much less constant than Mendis may need hoped.
There have been hints the pitch may need provided Sri Lanka extra in the event that they settled on the best size. Awais, particularly, was overwhelmed quite a few occasions simply outdoors off, however Madushanka and Asitha Fernando stored permitting Arif to launch the stress. He was completely satisfied to take action, significantly although then cowl area, and unafraid of taking his possibilities towards the odd quick ball, with one flying over deep fine-leg for six.
Pakistan can usually see a pair of wickets flip right into a cluster, however they spent the next hour shutting Sri Lanka out whereas refusing handy over the scoring momentum. Babar obtained via the early levels of his innings with strokeplay assured sufficient to belie his current lack of runs. Taha was much more circumspect, however with Babar in free-flowing kind, he was allowed to be. That metal has come in useful as Pakistan rebuild after the aptitude of the primary couple of hours.