Sri Lanka gain comfortable lead

Pakistan brought the match within a reasonable range fighting back conceding a 166 run first innings lead with only one wicket intact on the second day of the second Test played at the P.Sara Stadium. When rain stopped play with still four overs to be bowled Sri Lanka were 304 for 9 in 118.2 overs with a first innings lead of 166.

Sri Lanka who were 70 for 1 overnight in their first innings in reply to Pakistan’s 138 yesterday were aiming high but their wings were clipped by a depleted Pakistan bowling attack who were minus their main strike bowler Riyaz Wahab who had a hairline fracture and most probably will be out of the series. The first Test hero for the visitors Yasir Shah who took seven wickets at Galle, hit back with his spin to take 5 for 95 yesterday

When play began , Sangakkara and Kaushal Silva the overnight unbeaten pair gave every indication of putting up a big score. The second wicket pair added 55 runs when Sangakkara stepped out and hoisted Zulfiquar Babar towards long on , but the shot lacked the power to beat the fielder Ashad Shafiq who accepted the skier. Lahiru Thirimanne who walked in needing a good score against his name did not last long. In a short stay at the wicket. He perished, caught at short and the Lankans dreams of obtaining a substantial first innings lead seemed to be receding

With Sri Lanka losing early wickets, opener and the first Test centurion Kaushal Silva provided the backbone of the Sri Lankan innings. Joined by skipper Angelo Mathews at 119 for 3 ,Silva batted sensibly and was working himself gradually towards his second hundred. At lunch Sri Lanka were 147 for 3 with Kaushal Silva 64 n.o and Angelo Mathews 11 n.o

Soon after lunch Kaushal Silva after adding 16 runs to his individual score was run out due to lack of communication with skipper Angelo Mathews who did not respond. Silva was approaching a well made hundred but it was not to be. The opener batted for 335 minutes and had faced 218 deliveries with 10 fours. By that time Silva and Mathews had added 72 runs . Silva’s innings was beyond praise as it was he who provided the driving force when the side needed runs. Dinesh Chandimal and Kithuruwan Vithanage who were badly in need of a good score were out for poor shots. Finally it was left to paceman Dammika Prasad who struck a useful 35 with Tharindu Kaushal striking 18 off 44 deliveri