Karachi: Pakistan’s decision to bat after winning the toss backfired as Lahiru Kumara and Lasith Embuldeniya’s four-fer bundled out the hosts for a paltry 191 runs in their first innings even as Babar Azam (60) and Asad Shafiq (63) slammed respective half-centuries against Sri Lanka at the National Stadium here on Thursday.
In return, the islanders ended the first day at 64/3 with Angelo Mathews (8) and Embuldeniya (3) at the crease.
While Kumara conceded 49 runs, Embuldeniya was a bit expensive as he leaked 71 runs from his 20.3 overs. Apart from them, Vishwa Fernando picked up two wickets for 31 runs.
With the hosts reeling at 65/3 at one stage, it was Babar and Shafiq who rescued their side after sharing a brief 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, after Babar’s departure, Shafiq, tried to kept the scorers busy but lacked support from the other end as Pakistan’s lower middle-order fell like a pack of cards.
It was only Babar, Shafiq and Abid Ali (38) who could score in double digits as all other Pakistan batsmen failed to contribute. (IANS)
