Pakistan avoided innings defeat – 2nd Test vs. Sri Lanka

Pakistan 165 and 7-330 (Misbah-ul-Haq 97, Younis Khan 77, Sarfraz Ahmed 70*, Nuwan Pradeep 2-50, Shaminda Eranga 2-70) leads Sri Lanka 388 (Mahela Jayawardene 129, Kaushal Sharma 95, Junaid Khan 3-102) by 107 runs with three wickets in hand.

Misbah-ul-Haq missed his ton but fought hard in the center whereas Sarfraz Ahmed and Bilawal Bhatti earned valuable runs in the 2nd innings vs. the Islanders.

The hosts surrendered for just 165 runs in their first innings and scored 330 for the loss of seven wickets in the second whereas the visitors smashed 388 in their first one.

The fourth day’s play finished on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Misbah-ul-Haq - Missed his ton by just three runs
Misbah-ul-Haq – Missed his ton by just three runs

Earlier, the home side went into bat in the morning at 3-132 in 49 overs whereas Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq were at the crease with 62 and 53 runs. The first lost his wicket at 148 for 77 and was replaced by Asad Shafiq while the score was taken to 4-189 at lunch interval. Misbah-ul-Haq kept on creeping while Asad Shafiq was dismissed at 200 after he had scored 23 runs.

Sarfraz Ahmed got together with his skipper next and the flow of runs was maintained by the two batsmen. The innings defeat was averted in the 88th over but Misbah-ul-Haq was unluckily clean bowled by Rangana Herath at 97 as the score touched 245. Bilawal Bhatti walked in next with a suspected hamstring injury and started playing a courageous innings with the assistance of few boundaries. Sarfraz Ahmed reached his maiden Test fifty and the 67 runs seventh wicket partnership was dislodged at 312 when Bilawal Bhatti departed for 32. The first held his end for 70 and Saeed Ajmal was at the other end at seven as the hosts scored 7-330 in 123.3 overs when play was stopped because of rain.

Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Heratha and Shaminda Eranga were the highest wicket takers with two each whereas Suranga Lakmal held one.

Pakistan has taken an overall lead of 107 runs but Sri Lanka is still favourite to win the second Test.


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