Shehzad, Ali spark Pakistan…

Pakistan after being down and out on the first two days, hit back strongly with Ahmed Shehzad (69) and Azhar Ali (64 not out),to be in the ascendancy of day three in the second Test against SriLanka continued at the P Sara Oval in Colombo yesterday.By stumps when play was halted due to bad light at 4.25 pm with another 26 overs left Pakistan were 171/2, still trailing by six runs with eight second innings wickets in hand with two days to go.

Pakistan who began their second inning trailing 177-runs behind on the first inning, were indebted to the second wicket pair Shehzad and Ali who added 120 runs having defied the Sri Lanka bowlers during the entire post-lunch session, to bring the tourists back strongly into the game.
Shehzad who failed in the first Test in Galle and in the first innings here, made a fighting 69 facing 154 balls striking four fours and a six, Ali gave him valuable support from the other end, blunting the Sri Lankan bowling attack on a fine batting wicket.
Shehzad, who was shaping up well for a ton, went for an audacious hook off the first ball after tea to a Prasad delivery and mistimed it and was comfortably pouched by wicket keeper Dinesh Chandimal. Ali though, continued to look for runs and by the premature close he was undefeated on 64, his runs coming off 152 balls, having stroked three boundaries.
Earlier, Sri Lanka starting the day with their score at 304/9, after overnight and morning rains that delayed the start by 30 minutes and bowled out for 315 after 15 minutes of batting.
Leg spinner Yasir Shah returned outstanding figures of 6/96, proved that he could yet make a big difference to the outcome of this Test on a pitch that is expected to turn increasingly in favour of bowlers as the match progresses. (JK)
Scores:
Pakistan 138 & 171-2 (A. Shehzad 69, A Ali 64n.o)
Sri Lanka 315 (Y. Shah 6/96)