Rawalpindi: Pakistan strengthened their position in the first Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, declaring their first innings at 434 for nine before restricting the visitors to 114 for three at stumps on the second day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka trail by 320 runs, with Kamindu Mendis unbeaten on 40 and Dhananjaya de Silva on 22. Bad light forced an early end to play after 27.1 overs of the visitors' innings.
Saud Shakeel misses century
Resuming at 281 for five, Pakistan added 153 runs to their overnight total, with Saud Shakeel leading the batting effort.
Shakeel scored 93 from 199 deliveries, including nine boundaries, before being caught behind off Asitha Fernando, falling seven runs short of his century.
He shared a 96 run partnership for the sixth wicket with debutant Ghazi Ghori, who contributed 48 runs.
Another debutant, Arafat Minhas, scored 52 from 72 deliveries, hitting nine fours and a six to strengthen Pakistan's position.
Five Pakistani batters registered half centuries during the innings. Tayyab Arif scored 57, Mohammad Taha made 51 and captain Babar Azam contributed 50.
For Sri Lanka, Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets each.
Pakistan's bowlers strike early
Pakistan's pace attack put Sri Lanka under pressure after the declaration.
Mohammad Abbas dismissed opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara without scoring, while debutant Saqib Khan removed Dinesh Chandimal for one run.
Lahiru Udara attempted to rebuild the innings with 42 runs before becoming Saqib's second victim, caught behind by Ghazi Ghori.
With Sri Lanka three wickets down, Mendis and de Silva formed an unbeaten 49 run partnership to prevent further losses.
Mendis reached 40 while de Silva remained unbeaten on 22 when play was stopped because of fading light.
Sri Lanka face 320 run deficit
Pakistan will enter the third day with a substantial advantage after building a first innings total of 434 and taking three early wickets.
Sri Lanka will resume at 114 for three, with Mendis and de Silva attempting to reduce the deficit and stabilise their innings.
Pakistan's bowlers will look to make further breakthroughs on Wednesday as the hosts seek to maintain control of the opening Test.
The second Test of the series is scheduled to begin in Lahore on 17 November.
