Khan is ecstatic after bringing up his 150
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka got off to a steady start after Pakistan scored 451 in their first innings on the second day of the first Test in Galle.
Pakistan were able to reach 451 thanks to Younis Khan’s 177 and half-centuries from wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and spinner Abdur Rehman.
Starting out the day on 261/4, Khan and Asad Shafiq converted their 105-run partnership into a 137-run partnership before Shafiq was given out lbw off the bowling of Rangana Herath.
Shafiq reviewed the decision immediately, but replays showed that the ball was going on to crash into the stumps, which led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Shafiq’s fantastic knock of 75 came off 147 balls and included eight boundaries and two sixes.
Khan and Ahmed kept the runs flowing with a 66-run partnership, during which Khan surpassed the 150-run mark, before he was caught by Kithuruwan Vithanage at midwicket off the bowling of Dilruwan Perera.
Khan’s outstanding innings of 177 came off 331 deliveries and included 15 boundaries and a six.
Ahmed ended up making 55 off 71 balls, which included six boundaries, before he was caught by Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews at silly mid-on off the bowling of Perera.
Ahmed made a brilliant 55
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Saeed Ajmal only made 12 runs before he was caught by Mahela Jayawardene at leg slip off the bowling of Perera.
Rehman kept Sri Lanka at bay for a while with his knock of 50, which came off 61 balls and included six boundaries and a six, before he was caught by Kumar Sangakkara at long-off off the bowling of Perera.
Rehman struck six boundaries and a six during his knock of 50
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Perera picked up his third five-wicket haul just three balls later when Junaid Khan was brilliantly caught by Jayawardene at slip for a duck.
Perera was easily the pick of the bowlers with his five wickets, while Herath snapped up three and Dhammika Prasad chipped in with two as Pakistan were bowled out for 451.
Perera ripped through Pakistan’s lower order to register his third five-wicket haul
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Trailing by 451, Sri Lanka got off to a horrible start as opening batsman Upul Tharanga was given out lbw off the bowling of Junaid Khan for 19.
Tharanga decided to review the decision, but replays showed that the ball was going on to clip the leg stump, which led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Kaushal Silva and Sangakkara made up for the early loss of Tharanga with an unbeaten 75-run partnership before stumps was called.
Silva finished on 38 off 94 balls, which included seven boundaries, while Sangakkara remained undefeated on 36 off 95 deliveries, which included four boundaries.
Khan was the only bowler to take a wicket.
Sri Lanka ended day two on 99/1 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 04:30 GMT.