Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st Test: Abdullah Shafique Stars As Pakistan Complete Record Chase In Galle

20.07.2022 - 13:53 sports.ndtv.com

Abdullah Shafique hit an unbeaten 160 as Pakistan chased down a record target of 342 in Galle to win a tense opening Test by four wickets against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Shafique hit the winning runs in the final session of play on day five to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took a match haul of nine wickets but his efforts were in vain as Pakistan battled past the previous best chase in Galle of 268 by Sri Lanka against New Zealand in 2019.

The 22-year-old Shafique excelled with his second Test ton. He built crucial partnerships including a 101-run third-wicket stand with skipper Babar Azam, who made 55 after his 119 in the first innings on a tricky pitch to bat on.

Shafique finally combined with Mohammad Nawaz, 19 not out, to take the visitors home after a brief rain interruption halted their charge.

cricket Sri Lanka Cricket Team Pakistan Cricket Team Test as Babar Azam Abdullah Shafique Australia New Zealand Sri Lanka Pakistan county Chase

Here are the five talking points from the Pakistan tour: 1) Skipper Babar Azam extended his prolific run of form to almost single-handedly drive the tourists in the two-match series. Azam's knocks of 119 and 55 powered the team to an opening win after they chased down a Galle record of 342. He hit 81 in Pakistan's mammoth chase of 508 in the second Test but it was a lone fight against an inspired Sri Lankan spin attack.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 5 Live Score Updates: Hosts On Top

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 5 Live Score Updates: After Bad light forced an early end to Day 4's play in the second Test in Galle, the Day 5 has started. Pakistan ended Day 4 on 89/1 in their mammoth chase of 508 against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq, on 46, and skipper Babar Azam, on 26, were at the crease with more than 90 minutes and 26 overs of play left in the final session on day four. Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya sent back first-match hero Abdullah Shafique for 16 with debutant Dunith Wellalage taking a good running catch at mid-off. Dhananjaya de Silva hit 109 before Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 360-8 in the second session. Tourists Pakistan, who won the first match of the two-Test series, face an almost impossible task if they are to make it 2-0. They need to bat out over three sessions for a draw. (LIVE SCORECARD)

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd Test: Dhananjaya de Silva Century Puts Sri Lanka On Top At Stumps On Day 4

Sri Lankan century-maker Dhananjaya de Silva warned on Wednesday that they needed early Pakistan wickets on the final day of the second Test with bad weather looming. Tourists Pakistan, who are chasing a record 508 for victory in Galle or need to bat out three sessions for a draw, were 89-1 when bad light stopped play on day four. Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq was on 46 and skipper Babar Azam on 26. The arrival of rain confirmed a second consecutive early finish, keeping alive Pakistan's hopes of a draw -- and with it victory in the two-match series, which they lead 1-0.

Sri Lanka's victory push against Pakistan in second Test held up by bad light

Sri Lanka's hopes of winning the second Test against Pakistan took a hit when 26 overs were lost to bad light that brought Day 4 to an early close in Galle on Wednesday.

2nd Test: De Silva ton sets Pakistan monumental chase in second Test

Pakistan were 89-1 when bad light stopped play early and stumps were called on day four in Galle with left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq on 46 and skipper Babar Azam on 26. The arrival of rain ended any chances of play, adding to Pakistan's hopes of a draw to clinch the two-match series, which they lead 1-0. But the tourists will need to make an unprecedented chase -- with another 419 runs needed to win -- if they are to make it 2-0.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd Test Day 4 Live Score And Updates: Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya De Silva Eye To Consolidate Sri Lanka's Lead

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Day 4 Live Score And Updates: Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva have helped Sri Lanka extend their lead over 300 against Pakistan in the ongoing second Test at the Galle International Stadium. The duo took forward the Sri Lankan innings from 176 for 5, with a lead of 323, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Karunaratne and de Silva resumed at their individual scores of 27 and 30, respectively. Earlier, Sri Lanka had scored 378 runs before bundling out Pakistan for 231 and gaining a 147-run first-innings lead. (LIVE SCORECARD)