It took Pakistan just 15 minutes on the third morning to pick up the last Sri Lankan wicket, but the hosts had managed to build a sizable 177-run lead in the second Test at the P Sara Oval in Colombo on Saturday (June 27).

Yasir Shah, the legspinner, capped off a fine bowling performance with the wicket of Dushmanta Chameera to finish with 6 for 96 as Sri Lanka added 11 runs to their overnight total in 3.1 overs before being bowled out for 315.

Shah, who surpassed Waqar Younis to become the fastest Pakistani to pick up 50 Test wickets, induced a top-edge off Chameera for Younis Khan to pouch a superb catch running backwards from first slip. That left Rangana Herath unbeaten on 18.

Shah, who bowled Pakistan to an emphatic victory by picking up seven wickets in the first Test in Galle, somewhat made up for the absence of Wahab Riaz. The left-arm pacer was forced out of the Test after injuring his finger while batting on the opening day, X-rays revealing a fractured left knuckle.

That Sri Lanka built a big lead was courtesy the efforts of Kaushal Silva and Angelo Mathews. Silva held the top order together by making a typically solid 80, while Mathews made a measured 77 alongside the lower middle order after Sri Lanka slipped from a comfortable 191 for 3 to 202 for 6 at one stage on the second afternoon. Dhammika Prasad also managed to pitch in with a vital 35 to help swell Sri Lanka’s lead beyond the 150-run mark.

Despite play starting 30 minutes late due to a wet outfield, no overs will be lost, weather permitting, with the match set to go on until 5.30pm local time.

Source: Wisden India