Sri Lanka, after taking a lead of more that 200 in the first innings, batted poorly in the second innings, as Wahab Riaz grabbed four for 41 and left-arm spinner Haris Sohail took three wickets in a single over to dismiss Sri Lanka for 96 in their second innings, after they resumed on 34-5 on day four.
In the 100 years of test cricket, no team has ever won the test match, after being bowled out for less then hundred runs in the second innings. For Sri Lanka too, after bundled out for paltry 96 runs in the second innings, it’s going to be a miraculous task to win the match from there on, as Pakistan need another 115 runs on the final day, with five wickets in hand.
More worryingly for Sri Lanka, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed are still at the crease. Shafiq scored an unbeaten 86 while skipper Ahmed was 57 not out as they lifted Pakistan from a perilous position at 52-5 to 198-5 at close after being set a daunting target of 317.
The pair added 146 for the unbroken sixth-wicket stand to leave Pakistan needing another 119 runs with five wickets in hand to level the series.
From 52-5, Both Shafiq and Ahmed batted confidently to raise hopes of Pakistan maintaining their unbeaten record in nine Test series in the United Arab Emirates, their adopted home since 2009.
