Pakistan’s hopes of ensuring that they do not lose the second Test now rests on their most experienced duo of captain Misbah-ul Haq and Younis Khan, after yet another poor start left them in a precarious position at the Dubai International Stadium.
Having triggered a collapse in the opening session and restricting Sri Lanka’s lead to 223 runs on Friday, it was of utmost importance that Pakistan’s top-order fired.
But they were soon reduced to 19-3 in the eighth over, and it was down to some resolute batting from Younis (62 not out) and Misbah (53 not out) that they ended the third day at 132 without any further loss.
However, they first need to make 91 more runs to make Sri Lanka bat again, and they will have to survive a tricky morning session today.
The incessant, ear-shattering noise emanating from the adjacent Dubai Autodrome, where the 24 Hours of Dubai is being held, should act as a source of inspiration for the Pakistan pair.
Just like the drivers in that race, Misbah and Younis need to battle it out in what is surely going to be a test of endurance and their mental strength.
Earlier on Friday, the Pakistan bowlers did what they should have done 24 hours ago – make use of the early morning assistance from the pitch and get quick wickets.
Sri Lanka started the day at 318- 4, with Jayawardene on 106 and Angelo Mathews on 42. The captain was the first to depart without adding to his score, as six wickets fell in just over two hours in the extended morning session.
Mathews, who top-scored for his team in both innings of the first Test in Abu Dhabi, was caught by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Khan off Rahat Ali. But having been dropped by the same player off the same bowler when he was on five and the lead was 74, Mathews had taken full advantage of his luck and extended the lead to a healthy 153 runs by the time he departed.
Jayawardene, batting with a split webbing that required three stitches while fielding on the opening day, tried to up the run rate after Mathews’ dismissal.
The 36-year-old superstar, who reached his 31st Test century on Thursday, also moved past Australia’s Steve Waugh (10,927) as the eighth highest run-getter in the history of the game.
Jayawardene’s long and vital vigil came to an end when he became the first victim of Saeed Ajmal in 77.2 overs. The architect of many famous wins for Pakistan in recent times, the 36-year-old off-spinner has struggled against Sri Lanka, going wicketless in the second innings in Abu Dhabi and managing 2-56 in 34 overs here.
Prasanna Jayawardene (9) did not last long and was cleaned bowled by a superb delivery from Junaid Khan, which squared him up and went between his bat and pad.
Herath (6) was run out soon and once Jayawardene was the eighth man to be dismissed on 129, there was not much left for the tailenders. He faced 278 balls and struck 15 fours.
Pakistan openers had 20 minutes to negotiate before the lunch interval, but Rangana Herath, brought in as early as the third over, did the trick and his sharp bounce took the edge of Ahmed Shehzad’s (9) bat to the gloves of Prasanna Jayawardene.
Nuwan Pradeep then produced two brilliant balls with slight away swing, and it resulted in two further catches for the wicketkeeper. Khurram Manzoor made six and Mohammed Hafeez just one.
