Saud steadies Pakistan’s innings

Saud remained unbeaten on 57 off 112 deliveries, clobbering seven fours, while wicket-keeper batsman Ghazi Ghori was not out on seven when bad light forced an early end to the proceedings after 67.2 overs.

Pakistan made an aggressive start through openers Azan Awais and 20-year old Sialkot-born Tayyab Arif, who added 86 runs for the first wicket in just 16 overs. Azan, the left-hander, scored 30 off 50 balls, hitting seven boundaries before Milan Rathnayaka had him caught behind by Kusal Mendis.

Tayyab continued with attacking approach and brought up his first fifty on debut off just 46 deliveries, including nine fours and a six. However, he fell for 57 off 51 balls, caught behind off Asitha Fernando in the following over, leaving Pakistan at 90-2.

Mohammad Taha joined captain Babar Azam and helped steady the innings with a 69-run partnership for the third wicket. The pair took Pakistan to 159 before Babar departed for 50 off 58 deliveries, having struck seven fours.

Dilshan Madushanka provided the breakthrough, dismissing the Pakistan skipper caught behind. Taha, who showed considerable patience on debut, completed his fifty off 101 balls, hitting six fours. He continued to build the innings alongside Saud, with the pair adding 68 runs for the fourth wicket.

Their partnership took Pakistan beyond the 200-run mark and provided the hosts with a platform to finish the day strongly. Taha was eventually dismissed for 51 off 105 balls, caught by Dhananjaya de Silva off Sonal Dinusha, with the score at 227-4.

Saud then found support from Salman Ali Agha, who added 26 runs with the left-hander for the fifth wicket. Salman scored 16 off 22 deliveries, including two fours, before Fernando removed him to leave Pakistan at 253-5.

Saud continued to hold one end together and brought up his fifty off 103 deliveries. He found another partner in Ghori, and the pair added an unbeaten 28 for the sixth wicket unbroken stand before bad light brought an early close.

Sri Lanka shared the wickets among their bowlers, with Fernando taking 2-64, while Rathnayaka, Madushanka and Dinusha claimed one apiece. Youg batsman Mohammad Taha was over the moon after blasting fifty in his debut innings.

“I am extremely happy that I scored fifty on my debut. I could build on it. It was my dream to bat with Babar bhai and I kept learning from him on the wicket,” Taha -match news conference.

“Everyone wants to hit hundred on debut but in the end what is in your hand you do that. I was settled and could go deep but could not do so and next time I will try to play a long innings,” Taha said.

“Coach Mike Hesson and Babar have motivatged me a lot. I was nervous in the start but as the time progressed I got confidence and Babar’s presendce out there benfitted me,”“We are in good position.

Saud bhai is there and if we post a good total then it will put Sri Lanka under pressure,” Taha said. “It’s not an easy pitch for the batsmen and if we post a 400-run plus then it will be a good total,” Taha said.