Share

Azhar, Babar hit hundreds as Pakistan set Sri Lanka 476 to win

Karachi - Pakistan grabbed three early wickets pressing for a series-win on Sunday in the second Test against Sri Lanka after home captain Azhar Ali hit a return-to-form century in Karachi.

Set a daunting 476-run target to win, Sri Lanka lost skipper Dimuth Karunaratne for 16, Kusal Mendis for a duck and Angelo Matthews for 19 as Pakistan's pace attack spat fire on a lifeless National stadium pitch.

At tea, Sri Lanka were on the back foot at 86-3 with opener Oshada Fernando unbeaten on a fighting 47 and Dinesh Chandimal on two.

Sri Lanka need another 390 runs with seven wickets remaining.

Pace spearhead Mohammad Abbas had Karunaratne caught behind in the tenth over of the innings before 16-year-old paceman Naseem Shah had Mendis snapped up in the slips in the next over.

It became 70 for three when Mathews, Sri Lanka's most experienced batsman, edged a short delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Pakistan declared their second innings at 555 for three at lunch after Azhar and Babar Azam (100 not out) joined openers Abid Ali (174) and Shan Masood (135) in the run-fest.

It was only the second time in a Test innings that the top four had all scored centuries after openers Abid Ali (174) and Shan Masood (135) grabbed theirs on Saturday. India against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2007 was the other occasion.

Azhar, who had a lean 2019 with no fifty, completed his 16th century before he was stumped off spinner Lasith Embuldeniya after 11 boundaries in his 157-ball innings.

Azam's fourth century - and third in the last four Tests - had seven boundaries and a six off 131 balls.

Earlier, when Pakistan resumed at 395 for two, Azhar smashed three boundaries off pace bowler Vishwa Fernando and then took two runs to complete his first century in 12 months.

Azhar added 148 for the third wicket with Azam as Sri Lankan bowlers toiled hard for wickets. Lahiru Kumara finished with two for 139.

The Test series is the first in Pakistan since the attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 suspended international cricket in the country.

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!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 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