SL vs PAK 2nd Test Commentary - Galle (24 July 2022)

Flighted on off, turning in, Shah blocks it onto the pitch.

Tossed up on middle, Shah comes down the track to loft it over mid-wicket but gets an inside edge and it goes towards short leg.

Floated on off, turning in sharply, Shah is caught in his crease but manages to defend it well.

FOUR! A gift from Mendis. This is a full toss and on off, Shah smashes it through extra covers for a boundary.

Full again on off, turning in. Shah knocks it to the off side.

OUT! TAKEN! Mendis gets the last man and the Sri Lankans are delighted and there are celebratory scenes all over the ground. This is floated and on off, turning in, Naseem Shah tries to go for the big shot across the line again but this time mistimes his shot. The ball goes high in the air towards Dunith Wellalage who is stationed at deep mid-wicket judges it well and pouches it safely. Sri Lanka win the game by 246 runs.

Tossed up, on the stumps. Shah defends it out.

This one comes in with the arm, full and on middle, blocked out solidly.

Darted on the pads, Shah goes back and flicks it to mid-wicket.

Fuller, down leg. Shah clips it to square leg for a single.

Looped up, outside off, turns in a touch. Ali stays back and tries to punch it away but misses. It goes to fine leg after hitting the pads. 

Full and off, pushed to covers.

Floated full and on middle, Nauman Ali knocks it to silly point.

Tossed up full and on middle, Nauman Ali pushes it back to the bowler.

Shortish and outside off, Ali stays back and punches it to silly point.

Flighted on middle, turning away, Ali blocks it with his outer half to the off side.

Flighted delivery and on middle, angling in, Ali goes for defense but inside edges it past short leg.

Maiden over by Mendis. This is tossed up around off, Ali keeps it out.

Outside off, left alone.

Floated and full, on fourth stump. Shah looks to defend it out but gets beaten on the outside edge.

On off, defended out.

Slower through the air, full and on off. Shah blocks it out watchfully.

SIX! BANG! Fuller, on off. Shah offers full face of the bat and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Fuller, outside off, turns away a touch. Shah gets it to point off the outer half.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Another man bites the dust for Pakistan. Mendis gets his third wicket now. It is full and on off. Ali looks to sweep it away but does not connect. It hits him on the pads, might've got some arm on it as well, as he goes through with the shot. It goes onto disturb the bails. Sri Lanka need just a wicket now.

Flighted on middle, turning in, Naseem Shah pads it away. It looks close and there is an appeal for LBW but turned down.

BEATEN! This floated around off, Naseem Shah goes for the block but is beaten on the outside edge.

Shah living on the edge here. This is tossed up on middle, Naseem Shah goes for the big shot but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

SIX! Shah is trying to attack. This is flighted and full on off, Naseem Shah makes room and smokes it over extra covers for a biggie.

Pushed through quicker onto the pads, Shah tickles it to fine leg for one.

Around middle, Shah gets a big stride forward to defend.

A bit flatter and around off, Shah keeps it out towards silly point.

Fuller, on the pads, clipped to short leg.

Four dots on the trot! Fuller, outside off. Shah drives it to mid off.

OUT! CAUGHT! Prabath Jayasuriya picks up his fifth wicket of the innings. He has been consistent for the hosts throughout this series. Yasir Shah's cameo comes to an end. It is tossed up, around middle and leg, drifting in. Shah tries to flick it away but is a tad early into his shot. It takes the leading edge and goes to gully. Kusal Mendis takes a sitter. Sri Lanka now need two more wickets to win the game.

Fuller, on off, Ali blocks it back to the bowler.

On off, blocked out.

Fuller, around off, defended out.

FOUR! Boundaries are flowing for Pakistan. It is full, going down leg. Ali tickles it fine. It races away to the fine leg boundary.

Fuller, on middle, defended out solidly.

On off, defended on the front foot.

SIX! BANG! It is tossed up, full and outside off. Ali lofts it overs the bowler's head for a biggie.

On the bounce! Nice bit of drift into middle and leg, Yasir Shah pushes at it with soft hands and the ball lands just in front of the man at silly point.

FOUR! Deft touch! Full and floated on the pads, Shah with a fine tickle this time and the ball runs away into the fine leg fence.

A bit of drift again into the right-hander, Shah negates it well.

Sliding into the pads, Shah keeps it out.

Drifted onto the pads, trying to turn it away from there. Yasir Shah nudges it off the inside edge and though leg slip for a couple of runs.

Very full and on middle, driven towards mid off.

A tad shorter and on the pads, Hasan Ali works it 'round the corner for a single.

FOUR! That is a shot of real confidence and it looks like Yasir Shah wants to give a bit of stick back to the bowlers. Tossed up, around middle, Shah dances down the track and lofts it one-bounce into the mid-wicket fence.

FOUR! Yasir Shah dealing in just boundaries at the moment. On a length and around middle, Shah gets a big stride forward and sweeps it hard, through mid-wicket for yet another boundary.

Fuller and around off, Shah makes the block.

Quicker and flatter, turning it in from outside off. Yasir Shah watchfully keeps it out.

Around off again, Shah looks to drive but gets it off the inside edge and towards backward square leg for a single.

FOUR! Full and on middle and leg, Yasir Shah decides to have a crack at it and heaves it in front of mid-wicket and collects a boundary.

On a nagging length, on off and turning away, Shah prods forward to defend.

FOUR! Just a bit too full and too straight from Jayasuriya. This is on leg stump, Yasir Shah drives it through wide mid on and picks up yet another boundary.

FOUR! A third boundary in the over and Yasir Shah enjoying his stay at the crease for now. Tossed up, full and on off, Shah pummels it uppishly and through mid on for a boundary.

Much better from Jayasuriya. Flighted, close to the off pole and turning away sharply. Yasir Shah plays inside the line of the ball.

Tosses it up again, drawing the batter forward. This is outside off, Shah drives it gently towards extra cover.

This is angled into middle from around the stumps, kept out by Nawaz.

A appeal for stumping! This could be close. Tossed up, outside off. It grips and turns away. Nawaz tries to defend inside the line but misses. Niroshan Dickwella collects and clips the bails quickly. The umpire takes it upstairs to confirm. The UltraEdge show no bat is involved. The side-on angled shows that Nawaz had his back foot grounded. The final decision is NOT OUT. 

Nice bit of drift into the off stump, Nawaz watchfully keeps it out.

OUT! CAUGHT! This is poor cricket from Mohammad Nawaz, he just didn't have the temperament to defend and pays the price. This is floated up very full and around middle, turning away a touch. Nawaz tries to go for the big shot, against the turn and ends up slicing it high. The ball loops up around the cover region where Dinesh Chandimal takes a simple catch. The deadly duo of Jayasuriya and Mendis doing the job here for Sri Lanka who are now three wickets away from victory.

Looped up, full and on off, turning in, Hasan Ali keeps it out towards short leg.

Tossed up, around off, Ali strides forward to make the block. A wicket maiden them for Ramesh Mendis!

Turning down leg and keeping a bit low, Babar Azam works it 'round the corner and down towards fine leg for a couple.

Flighted, on a length and around off, Babar defends it off the front foot.

OUT! LBW! Prabath Jayasuriya's dream run continues in the Test format. This might just be the wicket that seals the game for Sri Lanka. Flights this one, around middle and off and on a nagging length. Babar Azam presses forward to defend but misses and gets pinged in front. There is a huge appeal for an LBW and the finger is raised! Babar Azam reviews it right away and frankly speaking, he doesn't have any other option. UltraEdge shows there's no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that the ball is hitting the top of middle. Sri Lanka are just four wickets away now from leveling the series.

Tosses it up, full and wide, Yasir Shah thrashes it past the man at silly point.

On middle, pushed away towards mid on.

Peach of a delivery to end the over! This is floated up, on a fuller length and closer to the off pole. The ball grips and turns away to beat the outside edge. The keeper whips off the bails and appeals for a stumping. The decision is sent upstairs but the replay shows that Yasir Shah has his back foot firmly planted inside the crease. NOT OUT!

A dot to start the over! It is tossed up, around off, turning away a touch. Nawaz covers the stumps and leaves it alone.

This is angled into the pads, on a fuller length. Nawaz blocks it out on his front foot.

Tossed up, outside off. Nawaz chases it but misses.

FOUR! Nicely played! It is short, outside off. Nawaz cuts it hard through covers for a boundary.

On off, defended out.

A huge appeal for lbw but the umpire is unmoved. It is looped up, around middle, sliding in. Nawaz tries to cut it away but it looks like he inside-edges it onto the pads. Dhananjaya de Silva opts against the review. Although the replays later suggest that it was pad first. 

EDGED BUT DROPPED! This is nicely tossed up on middle, turns away a bit, Babar Azam leans on for the block but gets an outside edge towards the first slip. DDS there reacts late and dives to his left but cannot grab it. The ball goes towards short fine leg and the batter gets a run. Another let off for Babar.

Flatter delivery around off, Nawaz pushes it towards covers for one.

On off, kept out.

Loopy delivery on off, driftin in, Babar Azam blocks it out.

Oh, this is really close! This is the arm ball and outside off, Babar Azam goes for the drive through covers but plays all over it. The ball goes just past the inside edge to the keeper. A rare loose shot from Babar and it was inches away from hitting the stumps.

Tossed up outside off, turning further away, Babar Azam leaves it alone.

Short ball, outside off. Nawaz cuts it to point but straight to the fielder.

Short and outside off, Mohammad Nawaz cuts it past point for a brace.

Flighted on middle, Mohammad Nawaz knocks it to the leg side with the inner half of his bat.

FOUR! Good hit! This is tossed up full and on middle and leg, Mohammad Nawaz clears his front leg and smashes it towards the long on fence for a boundary.

On middle, blocked.

Floated on off, Mohammad Nawaz makes room but hits it straight to short covers.

Shrp turn! It drifts in, pitches on leg and turns away off the deck. Azam leaves it alone.

On middle, defended back to the bowler.

Ah! This is close! It is full and around off. Azam comes down the track and yorks himself. He tries to drive it away but misses. The ball stays very low as it goes to the keeper.

On middle, flicked to mid-wicket for one.

Looped up, outside off. Mohammad Nawaz tries to defends it on his front foot but misses. It lobs off his pads to the left of the keeper.

Fuller, outside off. Nawaz pushes it to cover for one.

Mendis starts with a shorter one and on the leg side, Babar Azam tucks it through square leg for one.

Tossed up on middle, Nawaz plays a front foot defense.

Sligthly short and on middle, Mohammad Nawaz punches it of his back foot to mid on.

Floated around off, turning in a bit, Mohammad Nawaz pads it away. The fielders appeal for the LBW but the finger stays down. This looked close.

Quicker and flatter on off, Nawaz defends it on the back foot.

Mendis bowls the arm ball, on middle and angling in, Mohammad Nawaz is caught in his crease and only manages to knock it back to the bowler.

OUT! TAKEN! Brilliant reflex catch by Kusal Mendis at short leg to send Agha Salman back in the hut. This is tossed up full and on middle, Agha Salman goes down to get inside the line and tries to paddle it away behind square but little did he know that Kusal Mendis already anticipated the shot and started moving to his right before the shot has been played. It is hit firmly but Mendis shows quick reflexes and grabs it with both hands. A huge moment in the game and Sri Lanka are right on top. With that, the umpires have called for LUNCH ON DAY 5.

Prabath Jayasuriya starts witha ripper after the break. This is floated around off, holds its line, Mohammad Nawaz goes to play it for the turn but misses it completely.

Tossed up on off, turning in, Mohammad Nawaz blocks it out.

Flighted on middle, turning in, Mohammad Nawaz tries to defend it but gets hit on the pads and the ball loops and goes into the hands of short leg. There is a sltiffled appeal for catch but turned down.

On middle, blocked out.

A bit short and outside off, Mohammad Nawaz stays back and knocks it to the off side.

Floated but down the leg, Babar Azam tucks it to the leg side.

Flighted on middle, turning in a bit too much, Babar Azam works it to leg slip.

A bit short and on the leg stump line, Babar Azam pushes it to mid-wicket.

Tossed up on middle, Babar Azam blocks it out.

Gives it some air this time, turning away a bit, Babar Azam keeps it out well.

Full and outside off, Babar Azam leans on and pushes it to covers.

Uppish but safe! Babar Azam is playing shots that are against his general style of play. This is floated up outside off and turning away, Babar with an aggressive cover drive but slices it. Luckily for him, the ball loops up and falls safely around the point region.

On middle, kept out by Babar.

Tossed up on off, Babar Azam has a tentative push at it and the ball goes uppishly yet again but well past silly mid off.

That was almost catchable height as well! This is drifted onto the pads, Babar Azam flicks it to the right of the man at short leg who sticks out a right hand but can't reach it. The batters get a couple of runs as the ball goes towards deep backward square leg.

Turning down leg, Babar tucks it away towards fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Confidently played! Tossed up on off, Agha Salman dances down the track and drives it straight back past the bowler to collect a boundary.

On off, kept out.

OUT! RUN OUT! Horrible mix up in the middle and Alam has to go back. This is floated full on middle, Fawad Alam uses his feet and drives it towards mid on and calls for the run straightaway. Babar Azam responds to him but is caught ball watching here. The skipper is too late to send his partner back. Alam has nowhere to go as he is left stranded in the middle of the pitch. The fielder throws the ball to the keeper and Niroshan Dickwella does the rest, as Alam is forced to continue his run back to the dressing room.

A huge appeal for LBW but turned down. This is floated on off, turn in sharply, Agha Salman goes for the block but gets hit on the front pad. The fielders appeal for the LBW but the finger stays down.

Pitched up on off, Agha Salman knocks it to the leg side.

Tossed up on off, spins in sharply again, Agha Salman defends it close to his body. Ramesh Mendis bowling really well here.

Is there an inside edge? If yes then another chance goes abegging. It is tossed up, full and on off. Agha Salman tries to block it away but it lobs in front of him. Oshada Fernando dives in front of him from short leg but is unable to get to the ball. The replays later show that there was an inside edge onto the pads. A lucky escape for Agha Salman.

FOUR! Lovely shot! This is tossed up on off, Babar Azam dances down the track and flicks it towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Good comeback delivery by Prabath Jayasuriya. This is slower through the air and on middle, angling in, Babar Azam leans forward to defend but plays down the wrong line and gets hit on the pads. The Sri Lankans appeal for the LBW but the umpire is not interested. DDS opts for the review. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and the Ball tracking shows it is missing the wickets. Sri Lanka lose their review.

Tossed up on off, turning away a bit, Babar Azam blocks it with outer half towards silly point.

Short and on off, punched to covers.

Half an appeal but Babar Azam way down the track. This is angled into leg stump, Babar dances down the track but gets beten in flight. The ball crashes into the pads and rolls away towards gully.

Yet another probing over from Prabath Jayasuriya, goes hunting for the front pad but Babar Azam does well to keep it out.

Ramesh Mendis comes from around the wicket and serves it full and around off, Fawad keeps it out.

Fawad Alam escapes three types of dismissals in a single delivery. Mendis drifts this one in full and on middle, turning it away, Fawad Alam manages to get his front leg just out of the way and keeps it down to silly point. Fawad though falls over a bit and almost gets run out.

Around middle, pushed away to mid on.

Tossed up, around off, this is pushed away onto the off side.

BEATEN! Floated up, around off and just turning away a bit but sharply. Fawad Alam presents a dead bat at it but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Short and outside off, Fawad Alam plays it off the back foot towards backward point.

Drifted on the pads, this is tucked away behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

OUT! Cleaned up! A huge, huge misjudgment from Mohammad Rizwan and he has handed an opportunity to Sri Lanka to get back in the game. Prabath Jayasuriya angles this one in on a nagging length and very close to the off stump. Rizwan strides forward and leaves the ball expecting the turn. The ball though goes straight on with the arm, brushes the off pole and the bail comes off. The keeper pouches the ball and goes up in excitement as he knows what has happened. The umpires go upstairs and the side-on replay shows that the ball just clipped the outside of the off stump. Jayasuriya has done it again for his team.

Comes from over the wicket to the left-hander and serves a very full ball around middle. Fawad Alam reaches out well and sweeps it behind square on the leg side to get off the mark with a single.

Excellent fielding! Drops it a bit short and around off, Babar Azam punches it off the back foot but the fielder at extra cover makes a good diving stop.

Leading edge but safe! Flighted, around off and just turning away a touch. Babar looks to block but gets a leading edge that falls safely around the vacant silly point region.

Nicely drifted onto middle, Babar keeps it out. End of an excellent over from Prabath Jayasuriya.

Drifted onto the pads, Rizwan nudges it towards leg slip.

On the shorter side and turning into leg, Mohammad Rizwan has enough time to rock back and ease it towards square leg for a run.

Much better from the bowler. Gives it a bit of flight and bowls it on middle, Babar looks to defend off the front foot and does so towards short leg.

A bit quicker and darted onto off, Babar Azam rocks back to make the block.

On a length, around off, this is pushed away towards mid on.

Just a tad short and turning down leg, left alone by Babar.

Starts off with a floater around off, Babar Azam presses forward well and keeps it out on the off side.

Nagging length, angling into middle, Babar gets behind the line of the ball to make the block.

Nicely flighted, around middle, Babar defends it off the front foot.

And again! On middle, Babar leans forward and keeps it out.

Just teasing the batter to go for the drive, tossed up, around off, Babar Azam looks for the cover drive but checks his shot and just slices it towards point.

Massive turn! Drifts it in from outside off and the ball just grips and turns square, leaving the batter bamboozled. The ball zips past the outside edge and there is half an appeal from behind the stumps as well.

Mendis starts off the new spell with a shortish delivery, turning into the pads, Rizwan goes on the back foot to dab it down towards short leg.

Short again, turning down leg, worked away in between short leg and leg slip for a single.

Keeps it on a shorter length and Babar pulls it past the man at short leg fora couple of runs.

Darted into middle and leg, Babar keeps it out.

TWO BYES! This is poor from Ramesh Mendis, shorter and turning well down leg, the ball beats everyone and goes towards fine leg. The batters race back for two.

Goes a bit fuller and angles it onto middle and leg, Babar works it through mid on for one more.

Floated and full, outside off. Azam drives it to sweeper cover for one.

It is full, on middle and leg, drifting in. Mohammad Rizwan blocks it out.

Darted on the pads, Rizwan flicks it to the right of mid on. The batters are quick to cross.

Fuller, on off. Azam tries to clip it past mid on but finds the fielder.

Slightly short, outside off. Azam goes back and cuts it through point. Two runs taken.

Fuller, on middle and leg. Azam defends it back to the bowler.

Asitha Fernando dishes a short ball, around off. Azam ducks under it wisely.

Back of a length, on middle and leg. Azam pulls it to fine leg for a single.

Short one yet again, on middle. Mohammad Rizwan ducks under.

Back of a length, around off, this one carries well to the keeper. Mohammad Rizwan continues to dodge the short ones.

FOUR! EDGY! It is a short ball, outside leg. Mohammad Rizwan looks to pull it away. It goes off the top edge towards fine leg for a boundary. 

It is a short ball, angled across the right-hander. Mohammad Rizwan lets it through to the keeper.

Fuller, on middle and leg. Azam drives it back to the bowler.

This one comes in with the angle, full and around leg. Azam defends it on his front foot.

It is full and outside off. Azam eases it to covers.

Short ball, outside off. Azam goes back and cuts it through point for one.

Tossed up, on middle and leg. Mohammad Rizwan presses forward to block it out.

A neat over by Dunith Wellalage comes to an end. This one dips a bit on the batsman, around middle. Rizwan gets it to the off side off the outer half.

Asitha Fernando starts with a bumper, on middle. Azam ducks under it.

Back of a length, on leg. Babar Azam ducks yet again. The umpire signals the second bouncer and Asitha Fernando has to change his plan now.

FOUR! Powerful shot! It is a short ball, on off. Azam stands tall and flat-bats it over the bowler's head. It races away to the long on fence.

Outside off, left alone.

A bumper now, around off. Azam sways away from the line of the delivery.

NO BALL! Inspite of the warning. Asitha Fernando dishes his third bouncer of the over and the umpire is quick to signal a no ball. It is short, on off. Azam sways away.

NO BALL! Back of a length, angled across on off. Babar Azam leaves it alone. Oh wait, the umpire signals a no ball as the bowler persists with his bouncer here. Asitha Fernando also receives a warning again this time for bowling a fourth delivery over then head height. Fernando need to be very careful nwo.

Full length, on the pads, Azam clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Short ball, outside off. Mohammad Rizwan cuts it to deep point for one.

Brilliant delivery! It is tossed up, lands outisde off and turns away sharply. Mohammad Rizwan plays the wrong line here.

A huge appeal for caught behind but the umpire shows no interest. It is floated and full, outside off, turning away with some bounce. Rizwan looks to cut it late but misses. The ball zips past the bottom edge and Niroshan Dickwella pouches it safely. It looks like the fielders behind might've heard something after looking at the way they were appealing although they don't take the review. The replays later show that there is no bat involved.

Fuller, on middle, Rizwan clips it to mid-wicket for one.

On off, blocked out.

A single now as this is punched through covers.

Around off, Rizwan pushes it out towards cover.

On a length and around off, Rizwan gets back and across to defend.

This one comes on with the arm, around off and kept out.

Around middle Rizwan gets forward to defend.

Floated up, around off, Mohammad Rizwan leans forward to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal for LBW but the impact seems to be outside off.

FOUR! This is on the shorter side and angled into leg stump. Mohammad Rizwan is quick to hop onto the back foot and pulls it well in front of mid-wicket for a boundary.

This is short and wide, turning even further away from the batter. Mohammad Rizwan reaches out and taps it towards sweeper cover for a single.

Gives it a bit more air and drifts it onto middle and leg, Babar defends it out.

Full and on leg stump, this is flicked away behind square on the leg side for one more.

Flatter delivery, sliding down leg, Mohammad Rizwan sweeps and as he connects, one hand comes off the handle. Rizwan gets it down to fine leg for a single.

These two look very comfortable out there in the middle at the moment. Around off, nicely driven through covers for yet another single.

On the pads, Rizwan drives it towards wide mid on for a single.

Quicker one, on the pads, flicked away to square leg.

Full and on leg stump, Babar Azam eases it through mid on and rotates the strike.

Quicker and fuller, around off, solidly blocked out by Rizwan.

On a nagging length, turning in from middle, Rizwan nudges it down with soft hands past short leg.

Shorter this time, turning well down the leg side and Rizwan just pads it away.

Tossed up, full and on off, Mohammad Rizwan looks to whip it away but gets it off the inner half of the blade through square leg. The batters pick up a single.

Nicely drifted onto middle and leg, Babar nudges it towards short leg.

Drags back the length a bit and bowls it outside off, Babar Azam punches it off the back foot through cover for a single.

Nice bit of drift into the right-hander, Rizwan watchfully keeps it out.

This is darted into middle, Rizwan makes the block.

Loops it up now and bowls it on leg stump, Mohammad Rizwan steps out and looks to go inside out but can only manage to push it back to the bowler.

Rizwan is trying to be aggressive here. Tossed up on off, Rizwan loses his shape a bit as he steps out and drives it straight towards mid on.

Tossed up, from around the stumps and on a length. This is turning into the pads and Babar dabs it down towards short leg.

That's FIFTY for Babar Azam, yet another calm and composed knock from the skipper. This is turning in from middle and Babar just eases it through mid-wicket for one.

Back to over the wicket now and tosses it up on middle, Rizwan defends it out.

Full and on the pads, Rizwan sweeps well but finds the man at backward square leg.

Floated and on middle and leg, Rizwan presses forward to defend.

FOUR! Put away with ease! Floated once again, full and on the pads, Mohammad Rizwan gets down on one knee and sweeps it hard into the backward square leg fence. The 150 is up for Pakistan.

Dunith Wellalage starts with a slower delivery and on leg, Babar Azam looks to tuck it to the leg side but closes the face of his bat early. The ball takes the leading edge and falls before the short mid off fielder.

Tossed up full and on middle, Babar Azam knocks it down the pitch.

Quicker one and around off, Babar Azam gets behind thee line and blocks it well.

Floated full and on middle again, Babar Azam is solid in his defense.

Slightly short and outside off, Babar Azam punches of his back foot through covers for one.

Tossed up full and on middle and leg, Mohammad Rizwan defends it of his front foot. End of a very good over by the debutant.

Flighted on off, turning in, Babar Azam blocks it out.

FOUR! Azam is scoring freely here. This is a half-volley and on off, Babar Azam once again uses his feet well and drills it through extra covers for a boundary.

Short and on leg, Babar Azam tucks it through square leg for single. He is rotating strike well here.

Slower through the air and on off, turning in sharply, Mohammad Rizwan goes for the block but gets beaten by the turn and gets hit on the pads. There is stifled appeal for LBW but the finger stays down. Dhananjaya de Silva thinks that there is an edge involved. Although, the replays show that the ball missed the blade and directly hit the pads, but it spun a lot and might be going down leg. 

On off, kept out.

Full and outside off. Rizwan drives it to mid off buts finds the fielder.

Flighted delivery on off, Babar Azam drives it but straight to covers.

FOUR! Great placement by Azam here. This is tossed up full and on off, Babar Azam moves across and gets to the pitch of the ball, he just strokes it towards the deep mid-wicket fence. Angelo Mathews gives chase but cannot stop it from going into the boundary.

Lands this short and on middle, Babar Azam stays back and blocks it onto the ground.

Flatter and down the leg, Babar Azam flicks it through square leg for one.

Pushed through quicker and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan knocks it to the leg side.

Tossed up full and on off, Mohammad Rizwan comes down the track and drives it towards mid off.

Floated on off, Babar Azam leans on and pushes it to covers for one.

Flighted on middle, Mohammad Rizwan blocks it of his back foot.

FOUR! Poor line from Mendis. This is darted down the leg, Mohammad Rizwan goes down and paddles it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Short and on the leg stump, tunring away, Mohammad Rizwan flicks it through square leg for a single.

On middle, blocked out.

Floated full and on off, Babar Azam moves across and works it past the diving short mid-wicket fielder for a run.

Shorter and around off, Babar Azam stays back and slaps it to short mid-wicket for a quick single.

Tossed up full and on middle and leg, Mohammad Rizwan knocks it to the leg side.

Floated full and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan uses his feet and drills it back to the bowler who makes a half stop.

Low full toss and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan drives it to mid on.

FOUR! Rizwan finds the gap this time. This is again tossed up full and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan dances down the track and smashes it past the bowler towards the long on fence for a boundary.

Slightly short and on off, Mohammad Rizwan makes room and cuts it but straight to covers. This was there to be hit.

Fuller, outside off. Rizwan leans forward and hits it back to the bowler. 

This one spins in from around off. Rizwan goes back and tries to flick it away but it goes off his pads to leg slip.

Fuller, on middle and leg. Rizwan blocks it to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, full and on middle. Rizwan stays back and blocks it to the leg side.

Full again, on the pads, Rizwan tucks it past short leg.

Fuller, angling down leg. Rizwan flicks it to fine leg. Another maiden for Mendis this morning.

The onfield umpire has raised his finger. Sri Lankan players are ecstatic here and think they have got the main man here. Although, Azam thinks otherwise and takes the review. Coming to the delivery. It is looped up, around off. It grips and turns into the pads. Babar Azam tries to flick it away but misses and gets rapped on the pads. Prabath Jayasuriya appeals and the umpire agrees. The review though works in Pakistan's favour as the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is missing the wickets as it is going down leg. The umpire is forced to overturn his original decision. Babar Azam survives. Can he make the most of his reprieve?

Floated on off, Babar Azam comes down the track and tucks it away to  mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Lovely hit! This is tossed up full and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan goes down and sweeps it hard towards the deep square leg fence. The fielder there gets beaten by the turn of the ball and it races away for a boundary.

Just short! This is slower through the air and on off, turning away a bit, Mohammad Rizwan leans on to block it but the ball takes the outside edge and falls just short of the second slip.

Fuller, on the pads Mohammad Rizwan clips it to the right of mid on and crosses for a single.

A probing over by Prabath Jayasuriya comes to an end! It is fuller, on the pads, Azam nudges it to mid-wicket.

This one bounces a bit more off the deck with some turn. It comes in from around off. Mohammad Rizwan goes back and flicks it to mid-wicket for one/

Fuller, around off. Azam strides forward and eases it back to the bowler.

It is looped up, full and around leg, turning away down leg. Babar Azam tries to tuck it away but misses. It brushes his pads and goes to the right of leg slip. The fielder catches the ball with a dive to his right, although the umpire shows no interest.

Good length, on off. Azam stays back and punches it through the gap at covers. They take three.

Fuller, on thye pads, flicked to square leg.

Fuller, outside off. Rizwan comes down the track and works it to mid on. He sees the ball going straight to the fielder and denies the single.

Tossed up outside off, Babar Azam uses his feet and pushes it to short covers.

Flatter one, outside off. Azam cuts it hard to point but straight to the fielder.

Tossed up, on off. Azam blocks it out back to the bowler on the front foot.

Fuller, around off, Azam presses forward and blocks it into the deck.

Outside off, blocked out to cover.

Very good over from Prabath Jayasuriya. He gets his second maiden of the innings. It is full and on off. Azam drives it gently to covers but not in the gap.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Ramesh Mendis comes into the attack and strikes on his very first delivery. Just the start Sri Lanka were after. It is slightly short, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq stays on the back foot and tries to cut it away. He only manages to get a bottom edge to the keeper. Niroshan Dickwella makes no mistake behind the sticks. Is this the opening Sri Lanka were after.

Darted on the pads, Mohammad Rizwan tucks it to the leg side.

This one is angled down leg. Mohammad Rizwan stays back and pads it out.

On middle and leg, Rizwan blocks it out watchfully.

Fuller, on middle, Rizwan tucks it to mid-wicket,

It is on middle and leg, Rizwan blocks it to short leg. Ramesh Mendis starts his spell with a wicket-maiden.

This one comes in with the angle, around off. Azam drives it gently towards cover for a single.

Prabath Jayasuriya fires this into the pads. Imam-ul-Haq dances down the track, only to block it to the leg side.

Fuller, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq uses his feet yet again, but this he drives it to long on for a single.

Almost carried! Nonetheless it is tough chance to be honest. This one comes in with the arm but slower. It turns away off the deck. Babar Azam tries to defend it out but misses. The ball takes the outside edge, although it does not carry as it isn't played with hard hands. Dhananjaya de Silva, at first slip dives to his right but the ball evades him. It races down to third man and the batters collect three.

On off, defended out.

Fuller, on middle. Imam-ul-Haq flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

RIght on the money! Asitha Fernando serves it on a length, around off. This one stays low off the deck. Imam-ul-Haq tries to block it off his back foot but gets it to the keeper off the toe-end.

Length ball, on the pads, Imam-ul-Haq flicks it to square leg and crosses for a single.

Another single now! A length ball, on off. Azam stays back and nudges it to mid-wicket for a quick single.

Full length, on off. Imam-ul-Haq blocks it out watchfully.

Good length, outside off, angled across the left-hander. Imam-ul-Haq watches it sail past him.

Three dots in a row to end the over! It is a length ball, on off. Imam-ul-Haq blocks it out watchfully.

Dunith Wellalage starts with a floated delivery and on middle, Babar Azam pushes it towards short mid on.

Tossed up on middle, Babar Azam leans on and defend it on the front foot.

On middle again, fuller, Babar Azam again is solid in his defense.

Floated full and on off, Babar Azam pushes it through covers for one.

Flighted on middle and off, Imam-ul-Haq strides forward and defends it.

Slightly shorter and on middle, Imam-ul-Haq goes on his back foot and tucks it through square leg for one. The batters are indicating to the umpire that it is becoming difficult to sight the ball now.

Sharp turn! This is slower through the air and on off, turning away sharply, Imam-ul-Haq lets it go to the keeper.

Tossed up short around off, turning away and with a bit of bounce, Imam-ul-Haq stays back and blocks it out.

On middle, blocked out.

Darts this one on middle and leg, Imam-ul-Haq inside edge this past short leg.

A bit short and outsideoff, Imam-ul-Haq punches it of his back foot through covers for a brace.

That is more like it for Mendis. He bowls this quicker through the air and on middle, Imam-ul-Haq blocks it out well.

Short and on middle, Imam-ul-Haq flicks it of his back foot towards fine leg for one.

FOUR! Nicely hit! This is tossed up full and on middle, Babar Azam skips down the track and smears it towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Shorter in length and outside off, Babar Azam makes room and guides it to point.

Floated on middle, Babar Azam blocks it onto the pitch.

Flighted full and around off, Babar Azam uses his feet and drives it firmly towards the right of short covers, Pathum Nissanka there makes a good diving stop.

On middle, blocked out.

Fuller, down leg, Azam nudges it to short leg.

Flighted and full, on off. Azam defends it out watchfully.

Fuller, sliding into off. Azam blocks it on his front foot.

On the pads, tucked to square leg for a single.

Fuller, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq comes down the track and defends it to point. They cross for a single.

It is angled into the pads, on a fuller length, Azam flicks it to short leg.

FOUR! It had four written all over it. A short ball, outside off. Babar Azam is quick to get onto it. He goes back and cuts it hard though cover-point for a boundary.

Around off, blocked out.

This one keeps slightly low, full and on leg. Azam defends it on his front foot.

Good length, outside off. Azam punches it to cover for a single.

Floated delivery, full and on off. Imam-ul-Haq goes back and defends it to safety.

Fuller, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq blocks it on his front foot.

It is flatter and on off. Imam-ul-Haq blocks it back to the bowler with straight bat.

Touch short, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq plays it late to backward point.

Loops it up this time, full and on off. Imam-ul-Haq presses forward to block it out.

Fuller, on the pads, Imam-ul-Haq flicks it to square leg for a single.

Floated and full, into the pads, Azam defends it out watchfully.

Darted on the pads, Azam goes back and tucks it to deep square leg for a single. Pakistan need 435 runs more.

SIX! BANG! Babar Azam getting into his groove now. It is short and on off. Azam stays back and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Excellent piece of fielding. It is full, outside off. Azam drives it crisply to the left of extra cover. Dunith Wellalage sprints to that side and keeps it down to one.

A single now as this is flicked through mid-wicket.

Fuller, on middle and leg. Babar Azam wrists it past mid on. The call is for two and they get two.

Around off, blocked out.

Tossed up, on off. Azam defends it out on his front foot. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 4.

It is short and on off. Imam-ul-Haq nudges it to the leg side.

FOUR! Top shot! It is touch short, wide outside off. Imam-ul-Haq waits for it and cuts it through backward point for a boundary.

It is much fuller, on off, turning away with some extra bounce. Imam-ul-Haq stays back to block it out but misses.

Full, on off, blocked back to the bowler.

Tossed up, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq blocks it on his front foot.

A huge appeal for lbw but the umpire is unmoved. It lands on outside off, grips and turns in off the surface. Imam-ul-Haq strides forward to defend it out, but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Ramesh Mendis thinks he has got his man and makes a loud appeal. The umpire shows no interest. Later, Dhananjaya de Silva indicates that it is edged.

Full delivery, on off. Imam-ul-Haq flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

This one is sliding into the pads. Azam tucks it to the leg side.

On off, defended out.

Floated and full, outside off. Babar Azam opens the face of the bat and drives it through extra cover. They run two.

Outside off yet again. Azam reaches out and drives it through covers on the front foot for two runs.

Flighted and full, on off. Azam defends it out to mid off.

Fuller, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq defends it on his front foot.

Imam-ul-Haq blocks this full delivery to point.

Ramesh Mendis tossed it up, full and on off. Imam-ul-Haq gets on his front foot and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Touch short, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq cuts it late to backward point.

Looped up, on off, defended on the front foot.

It is quicker and full, on off. Imam-ul-Haq flicks it to mid on for an easy single.

Fuller, on off, Imam-ul-Haq works it to long on for one.

On off, blocked out.

It is full and on off. Azam hit it hard to mid on but finds the fielder.

Floated and full, outside off. Azam presses forward and blocks it back to the bowler.

On the pads, tucked to the leg side.

Fuller, on the pads, Azam flicks it to mid-wicket. So, just a single off the over.

Looped up, full and outside off, turning in off the surface. Babar Azam gets on his front foot and blocks it to the leg side off the inner half.

Fuller, wide outside off. Babar Azam drives it to covers for a single.

FOUR! Imam-ul-Haq taking the charge here, although he gets very lucky. It is full and outside off, Imam-ul-Haq comes down the track and throws his bat at it. He looks to whack it down the track but it goes over the slip fielder off the outside edge and races away to the third man boundary.

Not a good follow-up delivery. It is full, angled down leg, Imam-ul-Haq clips it to fine leg for a brace.

Full and down leg. Imam-ul-Haq nudges it to square leg for a single. 50 is up for Pakistan.

Loopy ball, outside off, this one holds its line. Babar Azam tries to play for the turn but is comprehensively beaten.

Tossed up full and on off, Imam-ul-Haq leans on and blocks it to the right of the bowler.

Slightly short and on middle, Imam-ul-Haq tucks it from his back foot through square leg for one.

Floated on middle, angling in, Abdullah Shafique knocks it with his inner half to short leg.

Flighted on middle, Abdullah Shafique makes room and uses his feet but drives it straight to mid off.

On middle, blocked out.

OUT! TAKEN! Prabath Jayasuriya gets the breakthrough and sends Abdullah Shafique back to the hut. This is tossed up on middle, Abdullah Shafique dances down the track to loft it over mid on, against the turn but the bat turns in his hand and he mistimes it. The ball goes high in the air and over wide of mid off, Dunith Wellalage runs back and sideways from mid off and takes an abosulte stunning catch over his shoulders, making sure he holds onto the ball when he hits the ground. Shafique will be very disappointed with that shot.

This is on the stumps. Imam-ul-Haq defends it out.

Mendis serves it short, on off. Imam-ul-Haq remains solid in his defense.

This is outside off, Imam-ul-Haq cuts it to point but straight to the fielder.

It is full, around middle and leg, this one skids through. Imam-ul-Haq's forward defense is beaten. He gets rapped on the pads. Ramesh Mendis appeals but the umpire denies. Going down leg.

A single now as this is worked down to mid on.

Full and on off, it is driven to mid on. A dot ball though.

Fuller, on middle and leg, Abdullah Shafique comes down the track and flicks it to square leg.

This is full and on the stumps. Abdullah Shafique blocks it out watchfully.

Fuller, sliding into the pads. Abdullah Shafique presses forward and blocks it out.

This drifts into the pads, on a full length. Abdullah Shafique gets on his front foot and defends it to the right of the bowler off the inner half.

Floated and full, around off, skidding on. Abdullah Shafique gets it past short leg off the inner half.

On off, defended out. A maiden for Prabath Jayasuriya. His first one of the innings.

Tossed up, full and at the stumps. Abdullah Shafique hits it down to long on for a single.

Fuller and on off. Imam-ul-Haq comes down the track and looks to flick it away. It goes to the off side off the leading edge. They take one.

Full and on fourth stump, Abdullah Shafique blocks it away.

Around off, blocked out.

Tossed up, on off. Abdullah Shafique defends it out.

This is full, outside off. Abdullah Shafique punches it through covers for a single.

A loopy ball, outside off, turning in a touch. Imam-ul-Haq stays back and blocks it back to the bowler.

It is flatter and full, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq cuts it late towards third man. They take two before the fielder cuts it out.

Much fuller, around off. Imam-ul-Haq defends it watchfully.

Beautiful delivery! There is a huge appeal for stumping and the square leg umpire takes it upstairs. It is tossed up, outside off, and holds its line this time. Imam-ul-Haq stride forward to defend it out but does so inside the line. The ball zips past the outside edge. Niroshan Dickwella gathers the ball and is quick to clip the bails off. They appeal and the third umpire comes into play now. The UltraEdge shows no bat is involved. There is a small spike though but it is when the bat brushes the pads. The replays later show that Imam-ul-Haq had his back leg grounded and the final decision is not out.

Full and on off, blocked out.

Tossed up, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq defends it out.

Flighted and full, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq leans in and drives it uppishly towards covers. He does not go through with his shot and hence it does not carry

On off, blocked out on the front foot.

This is angled into the pads, Imam-ul-Haq flicks it to short leg. The fielder collects the ball and throws it at the stumps. Although Imam-ul-Haq had his back foot on the ground.

Outside off, defended on the front foot.

Full and on off, blocked out watchfully.

Darted on the pads, Imam-ul-Haq nudges it to square leg for a single. 

Around off, Imam blocks it out.

Tossed up, full and on middle, this is flicked away well in front of square on the leg side for a single.

 Shafique tries to use his feet but Prabath Jayasuriya darts this one in. Shafique adjust well and keeps it out on the off side.

On middle, kept out by Shafique.

Flighted, around off, Shafique pushes it towards cover.

On the shorter side, turning into the pads, Abdullah Shafique hops back and dabs it down towards short leg.

Floated full and on off, Imam-ul-Haq uses his fee but does not get to the pitch of it, defends it out in the end.

Darts this one full and on middle, Imam-ul-Haq skips down and drives it to short mid-wicket.

Clever from Mendis. Imam-ul-Haq tries to use his feet again, Mendis sees this and pulls his length back a bit and on off, Imam-ul-Haq manages to block it.

On off, kept out.

Good running between the wickets here. This is drifted down the leg, Imam-ul-Haq whips it towards deep square leg while being slightly off balance. He times it really well and gets three runs.

Pushed through quicker on the leg stump, Abdullah Shafique stays back and knocks it to short leg.

On middle , blocked out.

FOUR! Good shot! This is slightly over pitched around off, Abdullah Shafique dances down the track and drills it through extra covers for a boundary.

Tossed up full and on off, Abdullah Shafique leans on and blocks it to the off side.

A bit short and on middle, Abdullah Shafique stays back and knocks it to the leg side.

Pushed through quicker and on off, Abdullah Shafique gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Tossed up on middle, Abdullah Shafique comes forward and defends it to the off side.

Ramesh Mendis starts with a short delivery and outside off, Imam-ul-Haq cuts it through cover-point for one.

Slightly short and on off, Abdullah Shafique stays back and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Poor from Mendis. He bowls this short again and outside off, Imam-ul-Haq punches it off his back foot past backward point for a boundary. There was a slight hesitation from the fielder there and he cannot stop it.

Mendis needs to correct his length here. This is short again and on middle, Imam-ul-Haq tucks it away through mid-wicket for a brace.

Better from Mendis. This is slower and full, on middle, Imam-ul-Haq strides forward and defends it well.

Quciker and flatter on middle, Imam-ul-Haq is solid in his defence.

Tossed up around off, Imam-ul-Haq steps out and eases it past short mid-wicket and towards long on for one.

Floated on off, Abdullah Shafique gets to the pitch of it and pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Half a chance! This is flatter and quicker down the leg, Abdullah Shafique flicks it and the ball goes just past the diving leg slip fielder and towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

On off, kept out.

Floated full and on middle, Abdullah Shafique uses his feet and drills it to the right of the bowler where Prabath Jayasuriya makes a half stop.

Tossed up on middle and leg, Abdullah Shafique blocks it out.

On a good length, a bit of width on offer, Imam hangs back and taps it towards point.

back of a length, over middle, Imam-ul-Haq gets behind the line of the ball to make the block.

Keeps it around the top of off, Imam defends it towards short cover.

Full and straight, Imam digs it out towards cover-point.

Good length, on middle and leg, Imam nudges it onto the leg side.

On the pads, this is flicked away to fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Some positive intent now from Imam-ul-Haq. This is tossed up on middle, Imam dances down the track and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Flighted, around off, Imam blocks it out.

A tad shorter and on the pads, Imam goes on the back foot and turns it past square leg for a single.

Holds it back a touch and drifts it onto middle and leg, Shafique blocks it out.

PEACH! Prabath Jayasuriya with a ripper of a delivery, nicely flighted, full and on off stump. The ball just grips and turns away sharply, leaving Shafique completely bamboozled.

Flatter and around off, kept out on the off side.

Fernando with a really well-directed bumper now. Over middle and leg and with some good heat behind it. Abdullah Shafique does well to duck under it in time.

hard length, around off, Shafique looks to defend off the front foot and once again gets an inside edge that goes down towards short leg.

Length this time, on off, Shafique defends it late and with soft hands as well.

Excellent from Fernando, touching 140 KPH now and hitting the bat hard. On off, Shafique manages to keep it out on the off side.

TAKEN! Oh, wait! It's a no ball! Asitha Fernando has committed the cardinal sin and Abdullah Shafique is left off the hook. This is shorter and on the body, Shafique awkwardly tries to fend it away but ends up playing it uppishly to the right of short leg. The fielder over there shows great reflexes to grab it but it doesn't matter. On watching the replay, the catch too might have not been a clean one but for now Shafique will continue his stay. Well, Asitha Fernando does not have to blame himself, as the replays show that the ball had bouced before going into the palms of short leg fielder. Although, it wasn't a clean replay. It looks like most of it would've come down on the soft signal. 

Full and on off, pushed back firmly towards the bowler.

FOUR! Short and punished! Asitha Fernando goes for another short ball but this one sits up nicely around leg stump, Abdullah Shafique swivels and pulls it powerfully into the backward square leg fence. That will ease Shafique's nerves a bit.

Prabath Jayasuriya starts off with a loosener and Imam-ul-Haq is off the mark right away. This is shorter and outside off, Imam taps it off the back foot through point for a single and with that Pakistan are underway in the chase.

Better from the bowler. Gives it a lot more air and bowls it fuller around off, Shafique makes a watchful block.

This one comes on with the arm. On off and angling in sharply, Shafique gets an inside edge past the man at first slip and gets off the mark with a single, also survives a pair in the process.

Around off, Imam keeps it out.

Turning it in from around off, defended off the front foot.

Loops it up a bit and delivers it around middle and off, Imam-ul-Haq presses forward to defend.

Fernando starts off with a gentle-paced delivery, full and outside off, with a hint of swing into the right-hander. Abdullah Shafique shoulders arms at it.

Around the top of off, Shafique looks to just stick out his blade and defend it out but gets a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, the ball goes back on to hit the pads and not the stumps.

A touch fuller, keeping it around off and there's movement again. This time there's a solid block off the front foot by Shafique.

Angles this one in a bit fuller and onto middle and leg, Shafique presents a dead bat at it.

A bit of aggression from Asitha Fernando, bangs it in over leg stump with the ball angling further down leg. Shafique manages to duck under it.

A maiden to start with from Asitha Fernando! Pitches it up on off, Shafique makes yet another solid block off the front foot.