SL vs PAK, 2nd Test, Day 3: SL leads by 323 runs

SL vs PAK, 2nd Test, Day 3: Stumps Sri Lanka 378 and 176 for 5 (Mathews 35, de Silva 30*, Naseem 2-29) lead Pakistan 231 (Salman 62, Ramesh 5-47, Jayasuriya 3-80) by 323 runs.

Pakistan eliminated Sri Lanka’s top five in a little over a session, however had surrendered such a lot of ground in the first innings that they remained in a frantic circumstance. They are 323 runs back toward the finish of day three, with five Sri Lanka wickets still remaining. 

On a day diminished by terrible light, the hosts took the guests’ last four wickets for 40 runs, getting a 147-run first innings lead thanks to Ramesh Mendis’ five-wicket pull. Pakistan’s bowlers then gave their all to hold Sri Lanka under control by having the hosts 117 for 5 in the second innings, before a 59-run unbeaten stand between Dhananjaya de Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne restored Sri Lanka’s strength.

Karunaratne was plainly battling with a lower-ease injury that had saved him off the field for a lot of Pakistan’s most memorable innings and kept him from coming in any sooner than at No. 6, where he was unbeaten – with de Silva at the opposite end – before the groups went off for terrible light.

Pakistan had started the day well, however unambiguously. Yasir Shah and Hasan Ali batted out right around 14 overs, however struck just a single limit when Hasan descended the track to send off Prabath Jayasuriya over midwicket, and made only 30 runs together for the eighth wicket.

Stumps on Day 3: Pakistan on 395/2 (104 Ov) Babar Azam 22*, Azhar Ali 57*, lead by 315 runs. #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/8NrA4rT7qk

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) December 21, 2019

Sri Lanka’s spinners had once in a while compromised with the old ball, however when they took the enhanced one – not long before the main hour of play was up.

They were reliably threatening.

Jayasuriya broke the stand, as Hasan could get an under-edge on to the stumps as he attempted to clear. Before long, Nauman Ali had his external edge taken by a major turning Ramesh delivered, before Yasir was caught in front by a similar bowler to wrap the innings up for 231. Ramesh got 5 for 47 – his third five-wicket pull in Tests – while Jayasuriya took 3 for 80.

Three other Pakistan bowlers took the three remaining wickets to fall in that session. Yasir had Oshada lbw under five overs after Dickwella’s excusal. Mohammad Nawaz got Kusal Mendis lbw attempting to clear exceptionally soon.

Then, at that point, came maybe the most questionable choice of the day. Angelo Mathews, playing his 100th Test, was given not out edging a ball that kicked back away from the keeper’s gloves to slip.

In any case, the bowler Agha Salman was determined to evaluate that choice, and third umpire Marais Erasmus precluded Mathews, in spite of Snicko having shown simply the merest tremor. Mathews left the field shaking his head, having made 35.

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Once more, after tea, Naseem struck. Dinesh Chandimal endeavoured a roaring drive to a full, wide delivery, and wound up just edging it behind for 27 – his least score in his last three Tests.

De Silva then, at that point, made his presence felt for certain early limits, and set about laying out a partnership with Karunaratne, who was plainly hampered in the two his batting and his running between the wickets, by his back injury.

De Silva was particularly viable on the back foot – as he frequently is – pulling Naseem before square for four, while likewise cutting Yasir for three boundaries behind point. Karunaratne hit two boundaries in his 51-ball stay – a converse compass off Yasir, and a regular scope off Nawaz. He went to stumps on 27; de Silva on 30.