ASAD SHAFIQ, SARFARAZ KEEP PAKISTAN IN THE HUNT VS LANKA

DUBAI: Asad Shafiq and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed led a brilliant fightback to take Pakistan to 198/5 and hopes of a series-levelling win alive at stumps on Day 4 of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Monday.

Shafiq (86 batting – 141 b, 8x4) and Sarfraz (57 batting) put on an unbeaten 146-run partnership after Sri Lanka’s off-spinner Dilruwan Perera struck thrice to reduce Pakistan to 52/5 chasing a fourth-innings target of 317.

Earlier, Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera took three wickets to push Sri Lanka closer to an impressive win. Perera dismissed Haris Sohail (ten), Shan Masood (21) and Babar Azam (nought) to leave Pakistan in tatters on 62/5 at dinner after they were set a tough target of 317 to win.

At the interval Asad Shafiq (four) and Sarfraz Ahmed (seven) were at the crease as Pakistan, needing another 255 runs to win, face their first series defeat in United Arab Emirates since adopting it as their home venue in 2009. Pakistan were forced to play at neutral venue since 2009 terrorists’ attacks on the Sri Lankan team suspended international cricket in their country. Sri Lanka had won the first Test by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan were off to a disastrous start when opener Sami Aslam fell for one, caught in the slip off paceman Lahiru Gamage.

Masood and Azhar Ali (17) added 31 for the second wicket before the wicket slide began with Ali caught off paceman Nuwan Pradeep for 17. Earlier, Wahab Riaz grabbed 4-41 and left-arm spinner Haris Sohail took 1-3 to dismiss SL for 96 in 2nd innings.