ABU DHABI : Pakistani's openers remained unseparated to take their team
to 115-0 by lunch on the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka
here on Wednesday.Pakistan, who bowled out Sri Lanka for 197
in their first innings on the back of a five-wicket haul by paceman
Junaid Khan, blunted the Sri Lankan attack at Abu Dhabi Stadium.At
lunch, opener Mohammad Hafeez was unbeaten on 73 and Taufiq Umar was on
35 with Pakistan only 82 runs behind with all their wickets intact.Resuming
at 27-0, Pakistan found the going easy against the Sri Lankan pace duo
of Nuwan Pradeep and Chanaka Welegedara, with Hafeez smacking a boundary
through covers off the debutant Pradeep in the first over of the day.Umar
was more cautious as Sri Lanka introduced spinners Rangana Herath and
Tillakaratne Dilshan from both ends. They bowled four maiden overs
between them with tight line and length, but did not get much turn.Hafeez
then broke the deadlock in scoring, jumping out of his crease to hit
Herath over long-off for a six and then slashed towards third man to
bring his fifth Test half-century.He then swept the same
bowler for two to bring up Pakistan's 100. Hafeez has so far hit eight
boundaries and a six during his 121-ball knock.Sri Lanka's
three-pronged pace attack and spinners failed to give any trouble to the
Pakistani openers on a pitch which had some grass on the first day.The
remaining two Tests in the series will be played in Dubai (October
26-30) and Sharjah (November 3-7). The Tests will be followed by five
one-day and a Twenty20 international.
