Pakistan’s cricket team demonstrated an impressive show of strength and skill in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.
On Monday, their formidable batsmen Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood, supported by the exceptional bowling of Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah, pushed the team into a commanding position.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka struggled and could only manage 166 runs in 48.4 overs. The right-arm mystery spinner, Abrar, showcased his prowess, claiming four wickets for 69 runs in 20.4 overs, while Naseem Shah offered valuable support with three wickets for 41 runs in 14 overs.
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Additionally, Shan’s dynamic fielding led to two Sri Lankan batters being run out, adding to Pakistan’s dominance.
In response, Pakistan’s innings faced an early hiccup when they lost their opening batter, Imam-ul-Haq (6), with just 13 runs on the board in 2.3 overs. However, Abdullah and Shan rose to the occasion, stitching together a remarkable 108-run partnership for the second wicket off only 117 balls.
Shan’s impressive knock of 51 runs from 47 balls, including four fours and a six, further bolstered Pakistan’s position.
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By the close of play, Pakistan had reached a formidable 145 for two in 28.3 overs before bad light interrupted the game.
Abdullah’s unbeaten 74 off 99 balls, featuring seven fours and two sixes, showcased his exceptional batting prowess. Captain Babar Azam remained steady, ending the day unbeaten on 8 off 21 balls, with one boundary to his name.
Despite Asitha Fernando’s efforts for Sri Lanka, claiming two wickets for 41 runs, the day clearly belonged to Pakistan, who displayed dominance both with the bat and the ball.
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The stage is now set for an exciting second day of the Test match, with Pakistan aiming to extend their lead and Sri Lanka looking to mount a strong comeback. Cricket enthusiasts can anticipate an action-packed day ahead.
