Share

Ton-up Umar stars for Pakistan

Abu Dhabi -Taufeeq Umar hit his sixth Test century and fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez scored 75 as Pakistan took a firm grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Abu Dhabi stadium here on Wednesday.

The left-hander made an undefeated 109 and added 118 for the opening wicket with Hafeez and another unbroken 141 for the third wicket with Azhar Ali (60 not out) as Pakistan reached 259-1 by stumps, a lead of 62 with eight wickets in tact.

If it was the Pakistani bowlers' day, with Junaid Khan taking five wickets, on Tuesday it was batsmen's turn on Wednesday who further blunted an ordinary looking Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Umar, Hafeez and Azhar batted without any trouble on an unresponsive pitch to frustrate the Sri Lankans who remained in search for an elusive wicket in the first and third session.

Azhar, who completed his tenth fifty in his 14th Test, ably supporting Umar.

It was Umar who edged Herath towards third man for a couple to take Pakistan past Sri Lanka's first-innings total of 197.

The ease with which the Pakistani batsmen were coping, prompted Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan immediately to take the second new ball in the 81st over as their only chance to stage a fightback.

But even that did not bring any luck for the Islanders as Umar hit three boundaries, two off Suranga Lukmal and then glanced the same bowler for a single to bring up his hundred off 259 balls.

Sri Lanka spurned a chance to get Azhar out, when experienced Mahela Jayawardene dropped a catch in the slips off Herath when the right-hander was only on seven.

Earlier it was Hafeez who anchored Pakistan's innings after they resumed at 27-0.

Hafeez hit eight boundaries and a six during his confident knock.

Umar reached his 12th half-century with a sharp single, and has so far hit only three boundaries as Pakistan only managed 59 in the second session.

Umar was more cautious as Sri Lanka introduced spinners Rangana Herath and Tillakaratne Dilshan from both ends. They bowled four maiden overs between them with tight line and length, but did not get much turn.

Hafeez then broke the deadlock in scoring, jumping out of his crease to hit Herath over long-off for a six and then slashed towards third man to bring his fifth Test half-century.

He then swept the same bowler for two to bring up Pakistan's 100. Hafeez has so far hit eight boundaries and a six during his 121-ball knock.

Sri Lanka's three-pronged pace attack and spinners failed to give any trouble to the Pakistani openers on a pitch which had some grass on the first day.

The remaining two Tests in the series will be played in Dubai (October 26-30) and Sharjah (November 3-7). The Tests will be followed by five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

The series was shifted to the United Arab Emirates after Sri Lanka refused an invitation to tour Pakistan over security fears.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE