In the second Test against Sri Lanka, Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam led Pakistan to a 12-run lead until rain cut short their momentum early on day two. Abdullah Shafique, on 87, and captain Babar Azam, on 28, were batting in a 57-run stand when the tourists resumed their innings on 145-2 under cloudy conditions. Before the rain started and the officials were obliged to call lunch, tea, and eventually stumps with the pitch completely covered, only 43 minutes of play were feasible. On day three, more rain is expected, and Pakistan, who leads the two-match series 1-0, will rely on an aggressive strategy to win the series.
After a few first overs, Shafique and Azam attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers with a series of boundaries to push for a significant lead in response to Sri Lanka’s total of 166.
In his 131-ball so far, Shafique has hammered eight fours and two sixes. Azam, who had eight at the start of the day, attacked the bowlers in the 10 overs since play had begun with a six and two fours.
After the hosts decided to bat first, a group of Pakistani bowlers collaborated to dismiss Sri Lanka in the second session of the first day.
With a second-wicket stand of 108 between him and Shan Masood, who scored 51 runs, Shafique increased Pakistan’s dominance and forced Sri Lanka to play defensively.
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