Ali’s maiden ton stretches lead
Talented Azhar Ali finally got a maiden Test century as Pakistan
piled pressure on Sri Lanka on the second day of the second Test at
Dubai cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
A three-figure score had eluded the 26-year-old right-hander in the
last 14 Tests but he finally reached the mark in the closing stages to
guide Pakistan to a dominating 281-4, gaining a lead of 42 over Sri
Lankan first innings of 239.
Ali, the only bright spot from last year’s fixing-marred tour of
England, put on a 94-run stand for the fourth wicket with skipper
Misbah-ul Haq (40 not out) and 117 for the third wicket with Younis Khan
(55) to lift his team.
Ali finally fell for 100 in the penultimate over of the day, leaving
Misbah and nightwatchman Saeed Ajmal (five) at the crease.
Surviving two confident leg-before shouts against paceman Suranga
Lakmal, Ali straight drove the same bowler to reach 96 and then at 98
miscued a sweep off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath but got the much
needed two runs.
Ali, who reached his century in 309 minutes with nine boundaries,
held his bat high in delight before kissing the ground in respect on
getting the much-eluded hundred.
Ali’s two stands helped Pakistan overcome the early loss of openers
Taufiq Umar (27) and Mohammad Hafeez (33) to Sri Lankan paceman Dhammika
Prasad who finished with 2-73.
Ali also became the 49th Pakistani batsman to complete 1,000 Test
runs when he reached 46.
Younis, when he reached 17, crossed Salim Malik’s aggregate of 5768
(103 Tests) to become the fourth highest Test run getters for Pakistan
behind Javed Miandad (8832 in 104 Tests), Inzamam-ul Haq (8829 in 119)
and Mohammad Yousuf (7530 in 90).
Younis hit Dilshan over deep mid-wicket boundary for a six to
complete his 26th fifty, but in the Sri Lankan captain’s next over he
played onto his stumps. His 55 also included two boundaries.
Pakistan started slowly after resuming at 42-0 and benefited from two
drop catches off successive deliveries from Lakmal, who bowled
exceptionally well in the morning session.
It was the fifth over of the day when Lakmal got one to jump on
Hafeez whose tentative push ballooned towards cover where Dilshan failed
to catch the ball which fell behind him. Hafeez, on 25, went for a
single.
Next ball, Mahela Jayawardene floored a regulation catch when Umar,
batting on 24, failed to keep an edge down.
But both openers failed to take advantage of the lapses, with Umar
edging Prasad to wicket-keeper Kaushal Silva for his first catch in
Tests while Hafeez was adjudged leg-before in Prasad’s next over.
The first Test ended in a draw at Abu Dhabi. The third and final Test
of the series will be played in Sharjah from November 3-7. AFP
Sri Lanka
1st innings 239
PAKISTAN
1ST INNINGS
(overnight 42-0)
Mohammad Hafeez lbw b Prasad 33
Taufiq Umar c Silva b Prasad 27
Azhar Ali lbw b Dilshan 100
Younis Khan b Dilshan 55
Misbah-ul Haq not out 40
Saeed Ajmal not out 5
Extras: (b6, lb10, nb3, w2) 21
Total: (for four wkts) 281
Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Umar), 2-64 (Hafeez), 3-181 (Younis), 4-275 (Ali).
Bowling: Welegedara 20-4-50-0 (w1), Prasad 20-1-73-2 (nb3),
Herath 23-3-56-0, Lakmal 20-7-38-0, Dilshan 16-1-48-2 |