Updated: Mon, 02 Jul 2012 06:49:59 GMT | By Agence France-Presse

Sri Lanka lose early wicket in second Test

Sri Lanka suffered an early blow when they began their reply to Pakistan's 551-6 declared on the third day of the second Test in Colombo on Monday.


Opener Tharanga Paranavitana was snapped up at short-leg off Junaid Khan for zero before the hosts recovered to post 70 for one by lunch at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

The experienced duo of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara led the revival by adding a brisk 59 for the second wicket on a pitch that continued to assist batsmen.

Dilshan was unbeaten on 46 with nine hits to the fence and Sangakkara was on 22.

Pakistan, who resumed at the overnight score of 488-4, batted for an hour before skipper Misbah-ul Haq declared the innings.

Misbah himself remained unbeaten on 66 after Asad Shafiq was run out for two and Adnan Akmal was caught in the covers to give left-arm spinner Rangana Herath his third wicket in the innings.

Pakistan, who lost the first Test in Galle by 209 runs, are hoping to level the three-match series here despite forecast of bad weather ahead.

Just 44 overs were bowled on Sunday due to heavy showers on either side of lunch, before another wet spell washed out the post-tea session.

Pakistan's innings revolved around a second-wicket stand of 287 between Mohammad Hafeez (196) and Azhar Ali (157), the highest partnership by a visiting team on Sri Lankan soil.

0Comments

Celebrity Gossip

Justin Bieber has been cleared of being involved in a hit and run accident in Los Angeles after a photographer allegedly got pinned between his moving Ferrari and another parked vehicle on Monday night (17.06.13).
Justin Bieber cleared of hit and run

Justin Bieber has been cleared of being involved in a hit and run accident in Los Angeles after a photographer allegedly got pinned between his moving Ferrari and another parked vehicle on Monday night (17.06.13).

Sports News

  • Brazil players voice support for protesters

    Chelsea defender David Luiz on Tuesday led his Brazil teammates in speaking out in support of mass protests in the country that have overshadowed the start of the Confederations Cup.