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Pakistan in lead before rain plays spoilsport

Pakistan were 178-2 at stumps at the Sinhalese Sports Club

Published: Tue 25 Jul 2023, 7:14 PM

Updated: Tue 25 Jul 2023, 7:15 PM

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  • AP

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Pakistan's Naseem Shah (right) and Abrar Ahmed (left) inspect the ground after rain stops play. — AFP

Pakistan's Naseem Shah (right) and Abrar Ahmed (left) inspect the ground after rain stops play. — AFP

Pakistan took a 12-run lead over Sri Lanka in the second test on Tuesday with eight first-innings wickets left after only 10 overs were bowled on the rain-hit second day.

Pakistan were 178-2 at stumps at the Sinhalese Sports Club.


All the play was in the morning session with an early lunch taken because of heavy rain. The rain had stopped by the afternoon but the outfield was wet and, after tea, the umpires decided to call off play for the day and resume 15 minutes early on Wednesday.

Resuming on the overnight score of 145-2, Pakistan moved past Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 166 before a downpour forced the players off the field.

Pakistan scored 33 runs during the 43 minutes of play. Opener Abdullah Shaffique has reached 87 while captain Babar Azam is 28 not out in a 57-run unbroken partnership for the third wicket.

Pakistan needed only 48.4 overs to dismiss Sri Lanka on Monday's opening day after the visitors opted to bat first having won the toss. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed claimed four wickets while Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi shared four wickets between them.

Pakistan won the first Test in Galle by four wickets and needs only a draw to clinch the two-match series.



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