Sports | Monday 2 October, 2017 9:28 am |

Sri Lanka sprung out of the blocks early on day four of the Q. Mobile Presents J Junaid Jamshed Cup 2017 test series, taking four wickets before lunch. Pakistan returned to the crease on 266/4 but were quickly reduced when Azhar Ali sent Herath’s delivery into the diving hands of substitute fielder Sadeera Samarawickrama. Frustratingly for Ali, he was only 15 runs away from his century. 

 

Next to come to the crease was Captain Sarfraz Ahmed, and if Pakistan were hoping that he could take the morning’s session by the scruff of the neck, they were to be sorely disappointed when he was dismissed for 18, attempting to pull a Lakmal delivery onto his own stumps. This was the third time in the match a batsman had been dismissed in that fashion. Lakmal continued his good work dismissing Mohammad Amir, leg before wicket, during the same spell for only four runs. Then in a dramatic last ball before lunch, Herath sent a fantastic delivery to Yasir Shah, who was caught at slip. The morning was definitely Sri Lanka’s with Pakistan losing four wickets for only 74 runs gained.

 

Post-lunch some exciting cricket was on display, with Pakistan’s tail-ender Hasan Ali putting on a vital big hitting display, with three sixes and two fours before eventually being stumped on 29. Harris Sohail, couldn’t have asked for a better start on his debut, scoring 50 and helping Pakistan cross the 400-run threshold. Sohail was subsequently dismissed on 76, bringing Pakistan’s batting to a close on 422 all-out,  just a 3-run lead over Sri Lanka’s first innings. 

 

Pakistan’s bowlers took the fight to Sri Lanka early on at the start of the second innings, with Yasir Shah, Asad Shafiq and Haris Sohail all taking wickets from Sri Lanka’s openers. It fell to the usual suspect to restore order, Sri Lanka Captain Dinesh Chandimal, however he fell just before the end of play for only seven, meaning at the end of day four, its advantage Pakistan, with Sri Lanka's second innings totaling 69/4, a lead of 66 and Pakistan yet to bat again.

 

Reviewing day four, Pakistan’s Haris Sohail reflected on his dream debut:

 

“I’ve had some great memories playing in Abu Dhabi. And after today, I am just as happy as previous performances. I look forward to returning to Abu Dhabi for the ODI’s and T20’s.”

 

Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath was happy with his five-wicket haul saying:

 

“Unfortunately being four wickets down, we’ve now got an interesting day tomorrow but hopefully we can bat until at least lunchtime. However it’s not been an easy pitch to bowl on, so I am very happy to have taken five wickets.”

 

Entry to Zayed Cricket Stadium for the last day of the 1st Test Match in Abu Dhabi is free for all spectators. Tickets for the ODI and T20 matches in Abu Dhabi are available to purchase at www.q-tickets.com/sps and at Abu Dhabi Cricket reception at Zayed Cricket Stadium. 

 

Abu Dhabi Cricket will also play host to Pakistan and Sri Lanka for two ODIs on Monday October 16th and Wednesday October 18th as well as two Twenty20s on Thursday October 26th and Friday October 27th. For further information and for ticket sales please visit www.abudhabicricket.ae.