Battling Azhar defies Sri Lanka

Pakistan trail by 153 runs with 6 wkts intact

ABU DHABI, Sept 30, (AFP): Azhar Ali once more rescued Pakistan’s batting with a fighting half century on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Pakistan still trail the Sri Lankan first innings total of 419 by 153 runs with six wickets intact.

Pakistan had pinned their hopes on Ali in the post Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq era who retired in May this year after shouldering team’s batting for nearly seven years.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam plays a shot during the third day at the first Test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Sept 30,

2017. (AP)

A cautious Ali made sure Pakistan do not concede a big lead in the first innings, having hit only one boundary in his 26th Test half century.

In all Ali has so far hit three boundaries during his 297 minutes of batting. He added 79 for the third wicket with Asad Shafiq who made 39 to take the figth to Sri Lankan three-pronged spin attack.

Veteran left-arm spinner Herath was the most successful bowler with 2-47.

When on 32, Ali also completed 5,000 Test runs in his 61st Test. He became the eighth Pakistan batsmen behind Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8832) Inzamam-ul-Haq (8829), Mohammad Yousuf (7530), Salim Malik (5768), Misbah (5222) and Zaheer Abbas (5062) to reach the milestone.

But it was the opening pair of