Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka slightly ahead in Karachi Test despite Shaheen Afridi's maiden five-fer

Attritional cricket continued on the second day of the ongoing Karachi Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The visitors batted well to keep the Azhar Ali-led side on the field for long and took a crucial 80-run which could prove decisive in the end. Pakistan, however, to their credit played well in their second essay as their openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali went back unscathed.

The duo got an uncomfortable passage to see off in the final session with the light deteriorating and they did well. Rather, Abid Ali was enterprising in his shot selection and treated the crowd with some crisp strokes yet again. The hosts ended the day 57/0 after playing out 14 overs in their second innings. They still trail by 33 runs and have a tough job on their hands to give a stiff challenge to Sri Lanka in the fourth innings.

Chandimal and Perera defy Pakistan

Earlier, Sri Lanka began the day at 64/3 with the nightwatchman Lasith Embuldeniya and Angelo Mathews starting the proceedings. But Mohammad Abbas got the better of the former and even the veteran Mathews was soon sent back which left the tourists reeling at 80/5. Dinesh Chandimal, at this stage, was new to the crease and was literally struggling to get off the mark.

However, he fought gamely during that phase and didn’t give his wicket. Dhananjaya de Silva supported him well as the duo added 67 runs for the sixth wicket and then Niroshan Dickwella also hung around to stitch a 37-run stand. Though the most important partnership of the match came between Chandimal and Dilruwan Perera. The latter stayed put patiently even as his partner crossed the 50-run mark and looked confident to score big.

They added 51 runs for the eighth wicket to earn a lead and just when things were looking down and out for Pakistan, Haris Sohail struck gold picking Chandimal’s wicket. The former Sri Lanka skipper scored 74 runs with 10 fours to put his team in the ascendancy. Having said that, this was not the end for the visitors. Perera continued to fight in the middle and along with Vishwa Fernando, frustrated the home side.

However, when the new ball arrived, Shaheen Afridi cleaned up the tail to bundle Sri Lanka out for 271 runs in the 86th over of the innings. The left-arm pacer also registered his maiden five-wicket haul to return with the figures of 5/77. Abbas assisted him well picking up four wickets for just 55 runs.

Pakistan will have to bat really well on the third day now to give themselves a chance to win the series and add 60 Championship points as well. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would be ruing not picking up a wicket and should come all guns blazing at the hosts.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: