Sri Lankan century-maker Dhananjaya de Silva warned on Wednesday that they wanted early Pakistan wickets on the ultimate day of the second Take a look at with unhealthy climate looming.
Vacationers Pakistan, who’re chasing a file 508 for victory in Galle or have to bat out three periods for a draw, had been 89-1 when unhealthy mild stopped play on day 4.
Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq was on 46 and skipper Babar Azam on 26.
The arrival of rain confirmed a second consecutive early end, retaining alive Pakistan’s hopes of a draw — and with it victory within the two-match sequence, which they lead 1-0.
De Silva, who hit 109, mentioned the hosts had been cautious that unhealthy mild might imply one other shortened ultimate session on Thursday.
“We have to get wickets early tomorrow,” he mentioned. “The secret is to bowl at one level constantly.”
The vacationers might want to make an unprecedented chase — with one other 419 runs wanted to win — if they’re to make it 2-0.
The West Indies maintain the file for the very best profitable Take a look at chase with 418 in opposition to Australia in 2003 at Antigua.
Pakistan batting coach Mohammad Yousuf remained assured that his workforce might ship, after going as much as 443-7 of their chase of 506 to attract the second Take a look at in opposition to Australia in March.
“Babar and Imam are taking part in to their energy and I really feel in the event that they play in the identical method we are going to attempt to go for the goal,” mentioned Yousuf.
Sri Lanka, who declared their second innings on 360-8 within the second session after resuming on 176-5, want 9 wickets on the ultimate day to finish the sequence stage.
Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya despatched again first-match hero Abdullah Shafique for 16 with debutant Dunith Wellalage taking a superb operating catch at mid-off earlier than tea.
Imam and Azam took their possibilities in opposition to the spinners to get fast runs within the weather-hit ultimate session of play, with 47 runs and 6 boundaries between them.
– No ache, no acquire –
Earlier, De Silva made a dominant century earlier than being run out on the non-striker’s finish and Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne known as his batsmen again to the pavilion.
De Silva placed on a key stand of 126 with in a single day associate Karunaratne, a left-handed batsman who battled spasms of again ache throughout his knock of 61.
“Dimuth had a little bit of a ache. He didn’t present it. He absorbed it and performed,” mentioned De Silva of his captain.
“What we needed to do was to disclaim them wickets once they had been bowling effectively. We knew if we batted for 3 periods we are going to get to the place we need to.”
Starting the day on 27, De Silva reached his ninth Take a look at hundred with a cracking boundary off Mohammad Nawaz.
Karunaratne went previous 6,000 Take a look at runs however fell within the first session after he escaped two shut calls off Nauman Ali’s left-arm spin, unsuccessfully reviewed by Pakistan.
Nauman lastly bought Karunaratne caught at quick leg, with Shafique taking a pointy reflex catch.
Karunaratne didn’t take to the sphere within the ultimate innings with De Silva once more standing in as skipper.
The vacationers chased down a Galle file of 342 within the opener of the present sequence.
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