Late Agha Salman wicket hurts Pakistan as Sri Lanka spinners dominate second Test

Pakistan found themselves in familiar trouble against Sri Lanka's spinners, slipping to 191-7 on the second day of the second Test in Galle on Monday.

Agha Salman waged a lone battle, scoring 62 from 126 balls on a surface offering ample help to the slow bowlers.

The right-hand batsman looked set to take Pakistan to close of play when was caught at slip at the stroke of stumps with the visitors still trailing Sri Lanka's first innings score of 378 by 187 runs.

“It’s been my dream to play for Pakistan in test match cricket,” Salman said. “Glad that I was able to score a half-century in my second game. Disappointed that I couldn’t see through today.

“A nice partnership was building and our plan was to see off the day and start fresh tomorrow. But that’s cricket. It’s a still good wicket to bat and we have plenty of batters who are capable of getting us closer to Sri Lanka’s total.”

Ramesh Mendis enjoyed a day to remember. He first chipped in with a lower order cameo and then claimed 3-42 to put Sri Lanka on course for a significant first innings lead.

Batting at number nine, Mendis contributed 35 in Sri Lanka's significant first-innings score. The off-spinner then returned to wreck Pakistan's middle order.

As was the case in the first innings of the opening Test, the home bowlers dictated the day's play.

Sri Lanka right-arm quick Asitha Fernando, who had been sidelined after testing positive for Covid-19, had a good comeback as he dismissed Shafique with the second ball of the innings.

Shafique poked at a delivery he could have left alone and ended up getting a thick inside edge on to his stumps

Sri Lanka's spinners struck three times in the second session on day two, including the scalp of skipper Babar Azam.

Left-arm