Silva raises his bat after bringing up his half-century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka opener Kaushal Silva scored 80 and captain Angelo Mathews made 77 to maintain their side’s advantage over Pakistan on the second day of the second Test in Colombo.
Starting off the day on 70/1, Sri Lanka lost veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne early on in the day for 34 and seven respectively.
However, Silva and Mathews stabilised the innings with a 72-run partnership, during which Silva brought up his half-century, before a communication error led to him being run out by Yasir Shah for 80 off 218 balls, which included 10 boundaries.
Even though Shah dismissed Dinesh Chandimal and Kithuruwan vithanage in quick succession after Silva was back in the pavilion, Mathews continued to stand his ground and put up a fight.
The Sri Lanka skipper surpassed the 50-run mark during his 73-run stand with Dhammika Prasad. The partnership was brought to an end when Prasad was trapped lbw off the bowling of Mohammad Hafeez for 35.
Mathews ended up making 77 off 153 balls, which included eight boundaries, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Shah.
Mathews hit eight boundaries during his knock of 77
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Mathews decided to review the decision, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit the stumps. This led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.
Shah then went on to remove Tharindu Kaushal for 18 before the heavens parted and play was brought to an end for the day.
Rangana Herath and debutant Dushmantha Chameera amassed an unbeaten one-run partnership before the rain came.
Herath finished on 10 off 28 balls, which included one boundary, while Chameera has yet to get off the mark.
Shah was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Hafeez, Junaid Khan and Zulfiqar Babar claimed one wicket each.
Shah became the fastest Pakistan bowler to take 50 Test wickets
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka ended day two on 304/9 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 04:30 GMT.