Pakistan asserted their dominance on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka, finishing with an impressive score of 563/5 at stumps.
Agha Salman showcased his class with an unbeaten 132*, securing his second Test century, while Mohammad Rizwan stood strong alongside him at 37* as they extended their lead to a commanding 397 runs. Earlier in the day, Abduallah Shafique displayed his prowess with a remarkable double century, setting the stage for Pakistan’s imposing total. However, the day saw a concerning moment when Sarfaraz Ahmed retired hurt, but Rizwan stepped up seamlessly as his substitute.
The first day had already seen Pakistan seize control, bowling out Sri Lanka for a paltry 166. Day 2 saw little action due to incessant rain. With Pakistan firmly in the driver’s seat, the match is poised for an exciting conclusion on Day 4. The hosts didn’t help themselves with a lethargic bowling performance as boundaries were leaked far too frequently. The surface is assisting spin a fraction but the discipline was missing from Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Even the seamers weren’t far behind in terms of inaccuracy as Shafique and co made merry. The scoring rate for Pakistan was brisk as they managed to add over 400 runs in the day. The visitors continued to bat with the high intent that has been seen right through this series and it put immense pressure on Sri Lanka who were already defending a very low score. Shakeel and skipper Babar Azam both got starts but couldn’t convert them to bigger scores. However, they managed to add sizable partnerships with Shafique who went on his own merry ways at the other end. It needed a loose shot like that for Sri Lanka to get Shafique but despite his dismissal, Salman continued to keep the momentum going along with Mohammad Rizwan who had come in as the concussion replacement for Sarfaraz Ahmed. The duo further consolidated Pakistan’s position in the game as the lead inched towards the 400-run mark.