COLOMBO: Mohammad Hafeez roared back to form with a career-best 172 not out as Pakistan made Sri Lanka pay for a failed gamble in the second Test in Colombo on Saturday.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the series, took advantage of Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene’s surprise decision to field first on a good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Hafeez led the Pakistani charge with his fifth Test century – and the first after 10 innings – as the tourists moved to a commanding 334/1 by stumps on the opening day.
The Pakistan vice-captain has put on 256 runs for the unbroken second wicket with Azhar Ali (92 not out) after sharing an opening stand of 78 with Taufeeq Umar (65).
It was the first time since making 379/4 against India in Faisalabad in 2006 that Pakistan scored over 300 on the first day of a Test.
All-rounder Hafeez had been under pressure to retain his place in the Test side after a barren run of 10 innings since making his previous best of 143 against Bangladesh last year.
But he answered his critics in style, smashing 18 boundaries and a six off Suraj Randiv that sailed over the mid-wicket fence.
Hafeez earned a lucky break just before tea when he was caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene, but television replays confirmed Angelo Mathews had sent down a no-ball.
When Hafeez was on 171, umpire Simon Taufel turned down Rangana Herath’s confident appeal for a catch at the wicket even as television replays indicated the ball may have gone off the bat.
The tourists are without frontline seamer Umar Gul, who was ruled out with an ankle injury. He was replaced by fast bowler Aizaz Cheema.
England attack ‘gettable’
Meanwhile, in England, Australian powerhouse David Warner has urged his fellow batsmen to pile the pressure on England’s “gettable” attack in the remainder of the one-day international series.
England, who will replace Australia at the top of the 50-over rankings if they complete a 5-0 clean sweep in the series, drew first blood with a 15-run win at Lord’s on Friday as the tourists fell just short. (AFP