Pakistan tail face testing finish

The unofficial second Test between Sri Lanka A and Pakistan A was tantalisingly poised at the end of the second day in Hambantota, with the visitors requiring 86 more to win with five wickets in hand in conditions where the ball has dominated proceedings. Twenty-two wickets had fallen on a riveting first day with both teams being bowled out for under three-figures but Sri Lanka's batsmen put up an improved performance on the second to give their team a good chance of a win.

Sri Lanka's middle-order batsmen chipped in with important contributions but were prevented from converting them into something substantial by the duo of fast bowler Junaid Khan and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, who shared nine wickets between them. Junaid increased his match tally to nine and together with Babar pegged away at the batting after Sri Lanka had threatened to post a more challenging target. Dinesh Chandimal top scored with 40, Thilina Kandamby made 32 and Janaka Gunaratne did his bit with 29, helping Sri Lanka set a target of 179.

Pakistan had suffered a horrible start in their first innings, but began steadily in their chase with the openers adding 22. But captain Azeem Ghumman's run-out triggered a slide with Jeevan Mendis rising to the occasion with his legbreaks. He trapped Abid Ali in front, bowled Aamer Sajjad and broke a 33-run stand between Naved Yasin and Hammad Azam. Pakistan ended the day on 93 for 5 but with Azam settled at the crease with an unbeaten 23.