Sri Lanka target early Pakistan wickets after De Silva ton
Galle, Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan century-maker Dhananjaya de Silva warned on Wednesday that they needed early Pakistan wickets on the final day of the second Test with bad weather looming.
Tourists Pakistan, who are chasing a record 508 for victory in Galle or need to bat out three sessions for a draw, were 89-1 when bad light stopped play on day four.
Left-handed opener Imamul-Haq was on 46 and skipper Babar Azam on 26.
The arrival of rain confirmed a second consecutive early finish, keeping alive Pakistan’s hopes of a draw -- and with it victory in the twomatch series, which they lead 1-0.
De Silva, who hit 109, said the hosts were wary that bad light could mean another shortened final session on Thursday.
“We need to get wickets early tomorrow,” he said. “The key is to bowl at one point consistently.”
The tourists will need to make an unprecedented chase -- with another 419 runs needed to win -- if they are to make it 2-0.
The West Indies hold the record for the highest successful Test chase with 418 against Australia in 2003 at Antigua.
Pakistan batting coach Mohammad Yousuf remained confident that his team could deliver, after going up to 4437 in their chase of 506 to draw the second Test against Australia in March.
“Babar and Imam are playing to their strength and I feel if they play in the same manner we will try to go for the target,” said Yousuf.
Sri Lanka, who declared their second innings on 360-8 in the second session after resuming on 176-5, need nine wickets on the final day to end the series level.
Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya sent back first-match hero Abdullah Shafique for 16 with debutant Dunith Wellalage taking a good running catch at mid-off before tea.
Imam and Azam took their chances against the spinners to get quick runs in the weather-hit final session of play, with 47 runs and six boundaries between them.
Earlier, De Silva made a dominant century before being run out at the nonstriker’s end and Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne called his batsmen back to the pavilion.