Sri Lanka in driver's seat as Pakistan batsmen fail to deliver

Kaushal takes 5 for 42 to bundle up Pakistan at 138

In the 2nd Test of Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka, in Colombo, Sri Lanka seemed to have the upper hand throughout the day on Day 1 of the Test.

It was an on-time start as Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat. Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad opened the innings with Dhammika Prasad leading the bowling attack. Prasad drew first blood in his second over when Shehzad edged a short of length ball to Sangakkara on first slip after scoring just 1 run off 3 balls.

This brought Azhar Ali to the crease who attempted to build a steady partnership with Hafeez, but Prasad struck again as Ali edged one to the keeper after scoring 26 in 45. It was all downhill from here for Pakistan as wickets fell gradually. Hafeez was the top scorer for Pakistan with 42 off 75 at a strike rate off 56.

Off-spinner, Tharindu Kaushal was the star for Sri Lanka after his five-wicket haul in which he gave away just 42 runs in 10.5 overs. Dhammika Prasad dismissed three to wrap up Pakistan's first innings at a modest 138.

After the bowlers set them up, Sri Lanka came out to bat in the last session of the day. Karunaratne and Silva batted cautiously. However, Karunaratne fell victim to Junaid Khan’s out-swinger and got a thick edge to the keeper. He lost his wicket in the 2nd innings in Galle in a similar fashion.

Sri Lanka finished strong at 70 with the loss of one wicket in 32 overs. At stumps, they trailed by 68 runs with 9 wickets in hand.

"Spin is our strength and later on this might assist the spinners," Misbah stated after winning the toss.

Angelo Mathews, however, did not seem to mind losing the toss as he said he would have bowled first anyway.

Sri Lanka proved their dominance under pressure, on the first day of the second Test, as a loss here would mean losing the series.