adminABU DHABI. — Paceman Bilawal Bhatti removed experienced Sri Lankan batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene off his successive deliveries to put Pakistan in command of the first Test yesterday.
The 22-year-old debutant removed Sangakkara (55) with the last ball of his 10th over and then had Jayawardene off the first of his next to leave Sri Lanka at 186-4 in their second innings at close on the third day on a Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch which had eased out for batsmen.
Junaid (2-46) built on the strikes by dismissing Kaushal Silva for 81, caught behind in the last over of the day.
Before that Silva and Sangakkara added 99 for the second wicket which had thwarted Pakistan’s pace-cum spin attack in the last session.
Dinesh Chandimal was the unbeaten batsman at close with 24 as Sri Lanka, who conceded a 179-run lead in the first innings, are now seven runs ahead with six wickets in hand. — AFP
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter