Both Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel looking good and also played aggressively after Pakistan lost 5 wickets. Sri Lanka was praised a lot during the first day’s end and in the initial period of the first session on day 2. Pakistan responded, right from the word go, by playing attacking cricket. Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha played in a similar fashion too, and looking comfortable as the ball, also a bit older. The umpires called for a drinks break and then rain started to come again. Ramiz Raja says something, which is interesting to know.
It didn’t matter losing Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Abdullah Shafique. Pakistan looked like they were playing to score runs rather than defending against Prabhat Jayasurya. Prabhat Jayasurya, who picked 50 wickets in his last 5 tests, also looked threatening to bowl out Pakistan under 200. Pakistan scored a rollicking 221 off just 45 overs so far to shut the critics.
A lead of 100 plus would have been very good for Sri Lanka to be on top. However, Agha and Shakeel played some stylish strokes over the ropes and took singles and twos at will. Some elegant batting was seen in the last session of day 2. The umpires had to take a break and the drinks interval was due.
Drinks break was just a bit long, and sitting comfortably in the commentary box, Ramiz Raja says: “Why did they take the drinks break when so much time had already been lost? There was no need for the drinks break.” But again, Ramiz Raja says Sri Lanka deserves this rain break. “They need to change their plans and use plan B, C”, and so on.
What Again Ramiz Raja Says?
However, no more play was possible after this rain break in the last hour on day 2 as the end of the day’s play was so near. Pakistan was looking comfortable, and another entertaining day’s play ends. Yet, Pakistan is still in the game. Both Agha (61 off 84 balls) and Shakeel (69 off 88 balls) scored aggressive half-centuries. Pakistan trails by just 91 runs. Three days still to go. Some passing showers would be there in between at least one session during all these days.
Sri Lanka piled up 312 runs in their first innings, batting first after winning the toss. They were 54/4 thanks to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first spell. But Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva brought back Sri Lanka on top. Then again Pakistan fought hard to bowl out Sri Lanka just in sometime in the end of first session of day 2. The lunch was taken. It looked Pakistan would be bowled out today itself, but at stumps Pakistan are 221/5. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 312. Pakistan is looking to take at least a slender lead.
Bottom Line
Ramiz Raja says: “Why did they take break?. There was no need for the drinks break.” This comment comes surely when Ramiz was enjoying Pakistan’s batting as rain comes again after the drinks break in the last hour. Then stumps were called.
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