AZHAR Ali was out for 157 shortly before an enforced early finish as Pakistan reached 488 for four on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday. Azhar was Suraj Randiv’s first victim of the day shortly before the players went off under rain, taking an early tea but not re-emerging.
Mohammad Hafeez fell just four short of a double century as Pakistan dominated between interruptions, with rain forcing a stoppage of more than two hours earlier in the day.
Resuming on 334 for one on Sunday morning, the tourists had moved on to 365 when Rangana Herath knocked back Hafeez’s leg stump after the batsman had gone for the sweep.
It was a bold shot to play when in sight of a double century with Hafeez’s innings of 196 coming off 331 deliveries and including 20 boundaries and one six. His removal brought to an end a stand of 287 with Azhar.
Azhar had resumed the day on 92 and brought up his century shortly after Hafeez’s exit when a ferocious whack of a wide delivery from Nuwan Pradeep went for four, however, rain intervened and a break of two hours 12 minutes ensued before play resumed.
Younus Khan and Azhar had put on 70 when the former was out lbw to Herath after making 32 with Pakistan 435 for three. Azhar continued and brought up his 150 with a single off Herath which he worked towards long-on.
However, he fell shortly before tea having added seven further runs when he attempted a reverse sweep but could only loop the ball to Nuwan Kulasekara at point. His 157 came from 295 deliveries and included nine boundaries.
Pakistan are looking to level up the series with Sri Lanka after the hosts enjoyed a four-day victory in the first Test.

SCORECARD

PAKISTAN 1st innings (o/night 334 for 1)
Mohammad Hafeez b Herath 196
Taufeeq Amir c P Jayawardene b Mathews 65
Azhar Ali c Kulasekara b Randiv 157
Younis Khan lbw Herath 32
Misbah-ul-Haq not out 29
Asad Shafiq not out 01
Extras: (lb-4, w-1, nb-3) 8
Total: (for 4 wickets off 134.2 overs) 488
Fall of wicket: 1-78, 2-365, 3-435, 4-486.
Bowling: K Kulasekara 27-6-84-0, A Matthews 15-1-55-1 (nb-1), N. Pradeep 21.2-3-86-0 (nb-2, w-1), S. Randiv 25-0-107-1, H. Herath 45-5-143-2, T. Dilshan 1-0-9-0