Haris Sohail starred for Pakistan as he scored his maiden fifty before dismissing Kaushal Silva

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan’s persistence finally paid off on the fourth day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi as they carved through Sri Lanka’s top order to leave them in a precarious position.

Starting off the day on 266/4, Pakistan were dealt a major blow early on as batsman Azhar Ali, who had fought extremely hard on the third day, was dismissed by Rangana Herath for 85, which came off 226 balls and included four boundaries.

Captain Sarfraz Ahmed did not last long at the crease as he made a 21-ball 18 before being clean bowled by Suranga Lakmal.

Four overs later, Lakmal got his second wicket as he trapped Mohammad Amir lbw for four runs.

Amir opted for a review despite being given out, but the umpire’s decision was upheld as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit the top of off stump.

Things from from bad to worse for Pakistan as on the last ball before lunch, Yasir Shah was caught by Lahiru Thirimanne at first slip off the bowling of Herath for eight runs.

Debutant Haris Sohail and Hasan Ali stemmed the flow of wickets with a 50-run partnership before Hasan was stumped by Niroshan Dickwella off the bowling of Herath for a 25-ball 29.

Pakistan ended up being bowled out for 422, which gave them a three-run lead, when Sohail was caught by Lakmal at mid-off off the bowling of Nuwan Pradeep for 76, which came off seven boundaries and two sixes.

Herath was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Lakmal and Pradeep snapped up two wickets apiece. Dilruwan Perera, meanwhile, chipped in with one.

Rangana Herath finished with figures of 5-93 off 40 overs

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Trailing by three runs, Sri Lanka got off to a horrible start as opener Dimuth Karunaratne was caught by Shan Masood at short leg off the bowling of Yasir Shah for 10 runs.

Lahiru Thirimanne fared no better as he was caught behind off the bowling of Asad Shafiq for seven runs.

Things went from bad to worse for Sri Lanka as Kaushal Silva and captain Dinesh Chandimal were sent packing by Sohail and Yasir for 25 and seven runs respectively.

Having lost four quick wickets, Kusal Mendis and Lakmal, who was sent in as the nightwatchman, managed to lead Sri Lanka to stumps as they put together an unbeaten four-run partnership.

Mendis finished on 16 off 63 balls, which included a boundary, while Lakmal remained undefeated on two.

Yasir was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Shafiq and Sohail claimed one wicket each.

Sri Lanka ended day four on 69/4 and will continue batting on Monday at 10:00 local time or 06:00 GMT.