Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 4: Prasad gives Lanka 153-run target

Seamer Dhammika Prasad claimed four wickets to put Sri Lanka on top in the second Test in Colombo on Sunday despite a defiant century from Azhar Ali.

Pakistan, who trailed by 177 on the first innings, were bowled out for 329 in their second knock by tea on the fourth day to leave the hosts a target of 153 runs to level the three-match series.

But heavy rain washed out play in the final session, setting the stage for an absorbing final day on a wearing P. Sara Oval - provided the forecast of more bad weather proves wrong.

Pakistan won the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets.

Azhar anchored the Pakistan innings with a watchful 117, his ninth Test century, but found little support at the other end as the last six wickets tumbled for 55 runs.

Wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal pouched five catches and also brought off a stumping, while debutant fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera claimed three wickets in an impressive Sri Lankan display in the field.

Azhar was reprieved twice during his marathon vigil that lasted eight hours and 33 minutes, in which he faced 308 deliveries and hit just six boundaries.

Azhar had added four runs to his overnight score of 64 when he was dropped by a diving Kumar Sangakkara at first slip off Prasad, a catch that Chandimal could have attempted.

When he moved to 114, Azhar was saved by a television review after umpire Sundaram Ravi had declared him leg-before off Prasad.

But the Pakistan number three was stumped soon afterwards when he tried to hit left-arm spinner Rangana Herath out of the stadium.

Azhar said Pakistan were not out of the Test despite the modest target given to Sri Lanka.

"This kind of a total can be a bit dodgy because we can come back with a few early wickets," he said. "We could have been in a better position if we had not lost wickets at a crucial stage.

"We should have got a lead of around 230 or 240. Still, there are runs on the board to defend. There is a lot in this pitch for spinners and if they bowl in the right areas, anything can happen tomorrow."

Pakistan will miss pace spearhead Wahab Riaz, who batted on Sunday but is unlikely to bowl due to a hairline fracture in his left hand sustained while batting on the opening day.

Sri Lanka's Prasad said the target of 153 runs would not come easily, but insisted his team had the batsmen to get them home.

"If we bat positively, I think we can reach there easily," he said, adding a bit of advantage was lost due to the rain in the final session.

Pakistan, who started the day on 171-2, lost the important wickets of Younis Khan and skipper Misbah-ul Haq in the morning session to go to lunch at 244-4.

Younis, who had hoped for a big innings in his 100th Test appearance, had scored 40 when he edged Angelo Mathews to Chandimal, ending a 73-run stand for the third wicket with Azhar.

Misbah, seemingly disturbed by a band playing in the stands, requested the umpires to stop the music, saying it upset his concentration.

The band obliged but Misbah did not last long at the crease as he was trapped leg-before by Prasad for 22.

Pakistan lost Asad Shafiq after lunch when he was caught down the leg-side by Chandimal off Chameera for 27, triggering a collapse from a comfortable 274-4.

The third and final Test begins in Pallekele on July 3.

Scoreboard at stumps on the fourth day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on Sunday:

Pakistan 1st innings: 138 (Mohammad Hafeez 42, Tharindu Kaushal 5-42, Dhammika Prasad 3-43)

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 315 (K. Silva 80, A. Mathews 77, Yasir Shah 6-96)

Pakistan 2nd innings (overnight 171-2):

Mohammad Hafeez c Sangakkara b Mathews       8
Ahmed Shehzad c Chandimal b Prasad          69 
Azhar Ali st Chandimal b Herath            117             
Younis Khan c Chandimal b Mathews           40
Misbah-ul Haq lbw b Prasad                  22
Asad Shafiq c Chandimal b Chameera          27
Sarfraz Ahmed c Chandimal b Prasad          16
Yasir Shah b Prasad                          0
Zulfiqar Babar not out                       7
Junaid Khan c Chandimal b Chameera           3
Wahab Riaz lbw b Chameera                    6
Extras (b2, lb2, w5, nb5)                   14
Total (all out, 118.2 overs)               329      
Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Hafeez), 2-129 (Shehzad), 3-202 (Younis), 4-234 (Misbah), 5-274 (Shafiq), 6-301 (Sarfraz), 7-303 (Yasir), 8-313 (Azhar), 9-323 (Junaid), 10-329 (Wahab) 
Bowling: Prasad 29.3-3-92-4 (w1), Mathews 11-5-15-2, Herath 34-7-89-1 (w3), Chameera 18.5-1-53-3 (w1, nb3), Kaushal 25-3-76-0 (nb2)

Pakistan lead by 152 runs
Toss: Pakistan
Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Sundaram Ravi (IND)
TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

Pakistan second innings

Sri Lanka require 153 runs for a series-levelling victory after Pakistan rode Azhar Ali's obdurate century before being all out for 329 on day four of the second Test on Sunday.

Ali scored a painstaking 117 off 308 balls but Pakistan lost six second-innings wickets after lunch, the last five going for 28 runs at the P Sara Oval.

Dhammika Prasad (4-92) was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, while Dushmantha Chameera (3-53) also impressed.

Resuming on 171 for two, Ali led Pakistan's reply with a dour display of resolute batting despite losing senior batsmen Younus Khan (40) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (22) in the morning session.

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews made the breakthrough when he induced Younus to edge a delivery behind and Prasad then trapped Misbah leg before.

The Pakistan skipper reviewed the decision but could not get the verdict overturned.

Ali took 266 balls to bring up his ninth test century, a knock of unflattering strike rate as well as unwavering determination spread over eight-and-half hours.

He took two runs off Chameera and was celebrating his hundred even though the third umpire was still checking whether he had been run out by Mathews' direct throw from mid-off.

Ali was adjudged leg before to Prasad on 114 but the batsman reviewed the decision and got it overturned. He could only add three more runs before falling to spinner Rangana Herath.

Wahab Riaz (six) came out to bat with a fractured hand and was the last Pakistani batsman to be out.

Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 28 runs to be bowled out for 329 leaving Sri Lanka a target of 152 to get in four sessions.

Azhar held the innings together with a defiant 117 while Prasad claimed four 92 and Chameera three for 53.

Chameera traps Wahab leg before and Pakistan are all out for 329, 118.2 overs, a lead of 152.

Wahab Riaz lbw b Chameera 6 (11b 1x4 0x6)

Nine down for Pakistan as Junaid slashes and nicks Chameera to Chandimal. Pak 323-9, 116.2 overs.

Junaid Khan c Chandimal b Chameera 3 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Herath gets his first wicket of the match and a crucial one beating Azhar in flight as the batsman gives him the charge. Pak 313-8, 113.4 overs.

Azhar Ali st Chandimal b Herath 117 (308b 6x4 0x6)

Azhar survives as Pakistan successfully overturn a leg before verdict as replays showed the impact was outside off though suggesting it would hit the stumps. Pak 311-7, 113 overs.

Pakistan are in trouble as Prasad has struck another deadly blow virtually yorking Shah who is bowled off an inside edge. Pak 303-7, 110.2 overs.

Yasir Shah b Prasad 0 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Prasad strikes with the first ball of a new spell as Sarfraz hangs his bat out to a wide delivery and  be caught behind. Pak 301-6, 108.1 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed c Chandimal b Prasad 16 (22b 0x4 0x6) 

Azhar completes his ninth Test century, his fifth against Sri Lanka, with a couple. Pak 279-5, 100.3 overs.

Chameera strikes as Shafiq gloves a short ball on the leg side to be caught behind. Pak 274-5, 98.3 overs.

Asad Shafiq c Chandimal b Chameera 27 (51b 3x4 0x6)

Shafiq comes down the track to Herath and slams hims to the mid-on fence. Pak 267-4, 94 overs.

Azhar drives an attempted yorker from Prasad in the second over after tea through the covers for a boundary. Pak 251-4, 89 overs.

Lunch

Azhar Ali remained unbeaten after a patient 85 to help Pakistan take a 67-run lead over Sri Lanka with six second innings wickets in hand at lunch on the fourth day of the second Test on Sunday.

Asad Shafiq (10) was batting with Ali after Pakistan lost two wickets in the morning session to reach 244 for four at the break.

Ali hit four boundaries in his 228-ball knock, displaying perfect temperament at the P Sara Oval.

Resuming on 171 for two, the visitors were lucky when Sri Lanka stumper Dinesh Chandimal did not go for the catch after Ali had edged Dhammika Prasad.

Kumar Sangakkara dived to his left from first slip but could not pouch the ball either.

For Sri Lanka, who are pushing for a series-levelling victory, skipper Angelo Mathews made the breakthrough when he induced Younis Khan (40) into edging a delivery behind.

Prasad frequently troubled the Pakistani batsmen with his hostile display of pace bowling but was largely unlucky.

The 32-year-old right-arm paceman finally tasted success when he trapped Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq (22) leg before. The batsman reviewed the decision but could not get the verdict overturned.

Bundled out for 138 in their first innings, Pakistan put up a much-improved performance in the second to leave the match delicately poised.

Shafiq glances Prasad to the fine leg fence as Pakistan take lunch at 244-4, 87 overs, enjoying a lead of 67.

The session belonged to Sri Lanka who grabbed the wickets of Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq as Pakistan added 73 runs.

Azhar Ali, dropped on 69 by Sangakkara, was still there on a rock sold 85 while Shafiq is with him on 10.

Prasad strikes trapping Misbah leg before with Pakistan unsuccesful with the review. Pak 234-4, 83 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Prasad 22 (49b 2x4 0x6)

Sri Lana have taken the second new ball with Pakistan 228-3 after 80 overs.

Misbah hits a boundary driving Kaushal through the covers. Pak 224-3, 76 overs.

Mathews strikes with Younis failing again in his 100th Test. Pak 202-3, 69.3 overs.

Younis Khan c Chandimal b Mathews 40 (67b 4x4 0x6)

Younis gets a boundary off an outside edge off Prasad. Pa 197-2, 68 overs.

Azhar hits the first boundary of the day off Mathews to fine leg. Pak 195-2, 66 overs.

Sangakkara has dropped Azhar Ali (69) at slip off Prasad. Pk 181-2, 63 overs.

Gritty half-centuries from Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali steered Pakistan to 171 for two against Sri Lanka when bad light ended the third day of the second Test on Saturday.

Shehzad fell for 69 to the first ball after tea having shared a 120-run second-wicket partnership with Ali (64) who was unbeaten after registering his 20th Test fifty.

Veteran Younus Khan was on 23 not out at the close as Pakistan trailed Sri Lanka by six runs with eight wickets in hand at the P Sara Oval.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.