The second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is moving ahead pretty quickly. After posting 378 runs on the board in the first innings, Sri Lanka bundled out Pakistan for 231 getting a lead of 147 runs. After their record-breaking chase in the first Test, Pakistan were expected to bat responsibly and give a good reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total.
However, their innings began in the worst possible manner as the centurion of the last match Abdullah Shafique was bowled in the very first over of the innings by Asitha Fernando. In another big blow to Pakistan, captain Babar Azam dragged on a ball from Fernando onto his stumps. After losing two in-form batters, Pakistan were in a spot of bother and needed a big partnership from their middle-order batters. But the Sri Lankan bowlers tightened the noose on the Pakistan batters with their disciplined bowling.
The Pakistan batting line-up fell like a pack of cards as they had no answer to Sri Lankan spinners. Imam-ul-Haq, Fawad Alamand Mohammad Rizwan failed to convert their starts as Sri Lankan spinners hunted them one after the other. Pakistan were reeling at 145/6 when Agha Salman who’s playing just the second Test of his career decided to take the onus of scoring runs on himself. The 28-year-old was finally dismissed for 62 at the score of 191/7. Useful contributions from tailenders Hasan Ali and Yasir Shah of 26 and 21 respectively got the Pakistan total to pass 200 as they were bowled out for 231 on Day 3.
Ramesh Mendis was the pick of the bowlers from Sri Lanka who picked up 5 for 47 in 21.1 overs. Having a lead of 147 runs in the first innings, Sri Lanka will now be looking to set Pakistan a target in excess of 400 keeping in mind their successful chase of 342 in the last game.
Twitter didn’t spare Pakistan after their dismal batting performance in the first innings. Here are the fans’ reactions after Pakistan’s first innings:
?? Sri Lanka vs Pakistan ??
? Pakistan had a good start to Day 2 but their batsman let them down.
? It's going to be hard for them to pull themselves back into the Test, do you think they can do it?https://t.co/ZgbyzC4J6P #Cricket #sportsbet #HighStakes pic.twitter.com/bVVPxWV7Nw
— HighStakes (@highstakes) July 26, 2022
Pak vs SL: Ramesh grabs three to put Sri Lanka on top in second Pakistan Test.
Read more to the link below?https://t.co/NKSB9homZ6#digitalmore #pakistan #cricketupdates #testcricket #pakvssl #srilanka #sportsnews #galle pic.twitter.com/hwfNGLzDIG— Digital More (@DigitalMore4) July 26, 2022
Pak vs SL: Ramesh bags five as Sri Lanka bowl out Pakistan for 231 The News International – Sports https://t.co/qc4MbqqQmV
— ?? ??????? (@mynewsify) July 26, 2022
SL vs PAK 2nd Test: Day 3 – 1st Session – https://t.co/osvg7n9ub3 #cricket #SL #PAK #SLvPAK #PAKvSL
SL 378/10 (86 ov)
PAK 226/9 after 86.3 overs
Naseem Shah 0 (2b)
Yasir Shah 26 (94b)
This Over: W 0 0— Cricket – Cricwaves (@cricwaves) July 26, 2022
Pak vs SL: Ramesh stars as Sri Lanka bowl out Pakistan for 231 to extend lead https://t.co/oiF8jw3rb9
— Yasir Ahmad Orakzai (@YasirAhmadOkz) July 26, 2022
What happen next in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka test match? Can Pakistan chase another big target? #PAKvsSL
— Raja Shahzaib Pervez (@shahzaibpervez9) July 26, 2022
Pakistan don't deserve to be in wtc finals ..Drew the series vs Windies,Lost a home test series vs Aus and now going to lose the 2nd test vs Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/TFr1xVuPFl
— High-five (@justphenomenol) July 26, 2022
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Day 3 Live Updates: Hosts On Top https://t.co/F30Y1QOq9c
— Magazine Worldwide (@AbdelmalekROUA3) July 26, 2022
?? Sri Lanka vs Pakistan ??
? Pakistan had a good start to Day 2 but their batsman let them down.
? It's going to be hard for them to pull themselves back into the Test, do you think they can do it?https://t.co/ZgbyzC4J6P #Cricket #sportsbet #HighStakes pic.twitter.com/bVVPxWV7Nw
— HighStakes (@highstakes) July 26, 2022
"400+ Target on the Cards"
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 2 Summary by @BajwaKehtaHaiiVideo: https://t.co/grQh2X1dyy#SLvsPAK #PAKvsSL
— Bajwa Cricasm (@CricasmDotCom) July 25, 2022
