2nd Test, Day 4: Asad Shafiq and Sarfaraz Ahmed revive Pakistan's chase of 317 after collapse

[Abdullah719]

Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed hit fighting half-centuries on Monday to thwart Sri Lanka and set up an enthralling finish to the second and final day-night Test in Dubai.

Shafiq scored an unbeaten 86 while skipper Ahmed was 57 not out as they lifted Pakistan from a perilous position at 52-5 to 198-5 at close after being set a daunting target of 317.

The pair added 146 for the unbroken sixth-wicket stand to leave Pakistan needing another 119 runs with five wickets in hand to level the series.

Sri Lanka won a nail-biting first Test in Abu Dhabi by 21 runs.

Both Shafiq and Ahmed batted confidently to raise hopes of Pakistan maintaining their unbeaten record in nine Test series in the United Arab Emirates, their adopted home since 2009.

Pakistan have been forced to play at a neutral venue since a 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team prompted authorities to suspend international cricket in the country.

Earlier, paceman Wahab Riaz grabbed four for 41 and left-arm spinner Haris Sohail took three wickets in a single over to dismiss Sri Lanka for 96 in their second innings, after they resumed on 34-5.

Shafiq brought up his 19th Test fifty with a well-timed cover drive off fast bowler Suranga Lakmal, his first 50-plus score in 12 innings.

Ahmed smashed part-timer Kusal Mendis for his fourth boundary to complete his 14th Test half-century.

It was off-spinner Dilruwan Perera who ripped apart Pakistan with a triple strike in the second session. He dismissed Haris Sohail (10), Shan Masood (21) and Babar Azam (nought) to leave Pakistan in tatters at 52-5.

He could have claimed the wickets of both Shafiq, on 26, and Ahmed, on 22, but both were dropped by Mendis at short leg off successive balls, leaving Sri Lanka to rue the missed chances.

Pakistan made a disastrous start when opener Sami Aslam fell for one, caught in the slips off Lahiru Gamage.

Masood and Azhar Ali (17) added 31 for the second wicket before the batting collapse began with Ali caught off fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep for 17.

Pakistan had needed to make early inroads in the morning and Riaz provided them with the important wicket of Niroshan Dickwella in the fifth over of the day for 21.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah dismissed Perera for nought to leave Sri Lanka in danger of being all out for their lowest ever total of 71 against Pakistan.

But Mendis (29) and Rangana Herath (17) added 35 for the eighth wicket to frustrate Pakistan before Sohail struck thrice in his only over to give his team hope of an upset win.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1362711/second-test-pakistan-fightback-sets-up-intriguing-finish

 

[imshally81]

Great batting show by Asad n Sarfaraz..

 

[MMHS]

I hope, this will end the debate of the idea - 4 Day Test.

 

[sachin100]

Superb partnership between sarfaraz and shafiq puts pak in a very strong position.

Sl looked flat and nothing much happened in the last session for them.

 

[ManFan]

How can people want 4 day Test cricket? This is the beauty of Test cricket. It's a Shakespearean tragedy. 5 Acts.

 

[another drop catch]

wahab should come next tomorrow

 

[Markhor]

Not a position of strength but a position of hope.

Feels a bit like West Indies's rearguard in the 4th innings in Dubai, still a tough ask for here with no more specialist batsmen left.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

4 days of play. Test is over.

 

[QalandarFan]

From 52/5 to 198/5! Great batting by sarfraz and asad.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

its starts spinning last day of test, lets see if these two bring it home.

Bowlers will be fresh tomorrow, new bowl not far away.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Still get the sense we will choke when we get close like Brisbane.

Openers and Babar need to go as does 70mph Abbas.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

fantastic play from this position we should win comfortably, all really depends how the pitch holds up tomorrow...

 

[KingKhanWC]

Have to applaud the fight shown here, at least Pak regained some respectability.

One wicket in the morning and the game will be over very quickly. A win from here would surely be one of the all time great test comebacks.

 

[shoaib]

The key thing was to show fight and not to fold for 100. These two have done that, just a shame that the others were not interested in scoring runs and just surviving. It will be difficult as no more batsmen left, just the tail...but of late the tail has wagged violently...

 

[Boi]

Still get the sense we will choke when we get close like Brisbane.

Openers and Babar need to go as does 70mph Abbas.

70mph Abbas is going to wreck England next summer.

 

[AZulfi]

Lanka still favourites to win at this stage

Still a very long way to go for Pakistan however good to see some fightback shown by these two after predictably yet another top order collapse. Do not expect much from the last 4 (probably 50 runs max.). One more wicket and Sri Lanka know they will be into the tail. Sarfraz will not want to be remembered as the first captain to lose a test series in UAE! Herath, so often our nemesis in the 4th innings, could still spoil the party

 

[AZulfi]

Sami Aslam and esp. Shan Masood have been given enough chances at this level but they have failed to impress yet. Both need to go. 20s and 39s won't do as test openers.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Lanka still favourites to win at this stage

Still a very long way to go for Pakistan however good to see some fightback shown by these two after predictably yet another top order collapse. Do not expect much from the last 4 (probably 50 runs max.). One more wicket and Sri Lanka know they will be into the tail. Sarfraz will not want to be remembered as the first captain to lose a test series in UAE! Herath, so often our nemesis in the 4th innings, could still spoil the party

Herath was ineffective today, ball didnt spin in the last session all good, Pakistan should win this comfortably...

 

[James]

I think this is doable. Not sure about Shafiq still, seems very inconsistent to me, but no doubt that Sarfraz is a quality batsman and can carry Pakistan over the line here. However on the UAE pitches there always seems to be nothing happening for hours and then loads of wickets collapse in a heap, so potentially all this needs is one to bite in the rough for Herath and Sri Lanka will be back in the driving seat.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I've seen enough Tests in the last 20 years to know SL are still strong favourites. Teams have collapsed from 200/2 to lose chasing 300 so we are still in deep trouble.

 

[Mehran07]

If they survive new ball (which is just due in 7 overs) then there will be a chance. Till now Sri Lanka is favorite.

 

[Sherlock]

Who knew playing attacking, and positive cricket would mean the SL players were on the back-foot...

SL are still favourites and should win, but this is the way to go from here on-in for Pakistan. Otherwise it's the same turgid response.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

the ball was doing nothing in the last session, was it poor bowling or fielders tired?

Pak are favourites from here..

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

SriLanka are massive favorites even right now, 119 runs to win a game on Day 5 is probably one of the most difficult aspects in cricket no matter where you are playing or against which opposition you might be up against. The last 50 odd runs are the hardest.

 

[90MPH]

I said before day 4 they could still do it and I will maintain that view.

However it's only a 25% chance because 1 wicket and it will make it very difficult with only the tail.

However several times Pak looked down in the dumps only to make a dramatic comeback so at least their is some hope after this splendid 150 partnership.

If these 2 add 50 more runs than I reckon Pak will be favourites as Sri Lanka know Pak have chased their 300 plus targets twice in the past so they will start to shake in their boots, if they haven't already. Game on.

 

[Suleiman]

Shafiq as usual a mouse in the 1st innings and then becomes a lion in 2nd innings.

 

[Chrish]

Have a feeling Pakistan will crumble after reaching within 50 of the target. Would be one of all time greatest victory if manage to pull it off though.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

After the first inning total of SL, the players were really happy and confident, SL commentator was really annoying me with his digs (Arnold), then SL got bowled out for 90 odd runs in second inning, they are going to get whopped tomorrow...

 

[Sarwar89]

This Test Match reminds me of Langer/Gilchrist’s 6th wicket Partnership against Pakistan at Hobart in 1999. Pakistan reduced Australia to 121/5 chasing 369 and then rest is history.

 

[giri26]

After the first inning total of SL, the players were really happy and confident, SL commentator was really annoying me with his digs (Arnold), then SL got bowled out for 90 odd runs in second inning, they are going to get whopped tomorrow...

To be really frank SL has already achieved more than they would have expected at the start of the series. They recently got whitewashed in all formats at home and they would have taken 1-1 result if they had been offered at the start of the series. The go in tomorrow with still 50-50 chance of winning the game, so they will gladly take a shared trophy if that is what they end up with.

 

[sshakir411]

Lanka still favourites to win at this stage

Still a very long way to go for Pakistan however good to see some fightback shown by these two after predictably yet another top order collapse. Do not expect much from the last 4 (probably 50 runs max.). One more wicket and Sri Lanka know they will be into the tail. Sarfraz will not want to be remembered as the first captain to lose a test series in UAE! Herath, so often our nemesis in the 4th innings, could still spoil the party

This an accurate assessment. Sarfraz and Shafiq both really need to play out of their skins. Neither have won us a test from this current/similar situation. Sarfraz as captain has more to lift. Shafiq needs to deliver for himself and build that self belief. Shafiq had similar chance in Adelaide but didn't take us through, a match winning innings will really do a lot for both these players.

 

[Sadevdesai]

We can win this Test Match now !!!!!!!!

 

[wrongun]

Pakistan keep putting themselves in the position to win matches (even if they fall over sometimes), that is the good news.

Sooner or later, someone will stand up & take one of these home and this new team can begin to forge an identity for itself. It may be today. It may be Sarfraz, Shafiq or even a cameo from Wahab or a tailender again. I hope it is Sarfraz to stamp himself on this team as leader.

 

[NauV]

I think people are jumping ahead of themselves . . It literally is about 1 wicket . . 119 runs are a LOT of runs when this is your last pair . .

 

[JibranAnsari]

I think people are jumping ahead of themselves . . It literally is about 1 wicket . . 119 runs are a LOT of runs when this is your last pair . .

well this was our last pair at 52/5 and we are now 198/5 , I dont know if amir is going to bat or not but both wahab and yasir are capable of scoring 30 each so its not over yet.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Lanka still favourites to win at this stage

Still a very long way to go for Pakistan however good to see some fightback shown by these two after predictably yet another top order collapse. Do not expect much from the last 4 (probably 50 runs max.). One more wicket and Sri Lanka know they will be into the tail. Sarfraz will not want to be remembered as the first captain to lose a test series in UAE! Herath, so often our nemesis in the 4th innings, could still spoil the party

Well we have lost a series in UAE before as well against australia so no sarfraz wont be the first captain.

 

[ego-gambit]

Just see off new ball & pak will win Gamage can change the game

 

[hadi123]

I would still say Sri Lanka are on top as of now. These two need to get the required runs under 70 then it will start to get easier as this Sri Lankan team can crumble under pressure.