Pakistan sneaks ahead before rain sets in

Members of ground staff cover the pitch as rain stops the second day play of the second and final cricket Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo yesterday – AFP 

Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka bowls during the second day of the second and final cricket Test match against Pakistan at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo yesterday – AFP 

• Second Test at SSC grounds only 10 overs bowled on day 2

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

It seemed as if the weather at Old Trafford, Manchester that deprived England from winning and levelling the five-Test Ashes series against Australia had moved to the SSC grounds where only ten overs were possible on the second day of the second cricket Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan yesterday.

Play began under leaden skies and Pakistan resuming at 145-2 added 33 runs to move to 178-2 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings of 166 before the heavens opened up and ruled out any further play for the rest of the day.

Play was officially called off in the final session with the rain having receded and the skies brightening up, but the ground had absorbed a lot of water despite being covered and there wasn’t any chance of the ground staff getting it ready for any play for the day.

In the few minutes where there was some action, overnight pair Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam carried their third wicket partnership to 57. Shafique was unbeaten on 87 (131 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) and Babar on 28 (49 balls, 3 fours, 1 six).

Pakistan who lead the two-match series 1-0 having won the first Test at Galle by four wickets, will begin the third day ahead by 12 runs. Play will commence at 9.45 am with a minimum of 98 overs to be bowled.