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Stumps
DUBAI // Pakistan were in the driver's seat after dismissing Sri Lanka cheaply on the opening day of the second Test at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal took three wickets each as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 239 in the first innings. Pakistan were 42 without loss from nine overs at close of play.
Sri Lanka could have done worse, but for some late defiance. They were eight down for 154 at the fall of Kumar Sangakkara's (78) wicket and an early finish to the innings seemed on the cards. Rangana Herath (29) and Chanaka Welegedara, however, kept Pakistan waiting till the final hour of the day's play, adding 75 for the ninth wicket before Ajmal found the edge of Herath's bat.
A charging Welegedara (48) was then stumped off Ajmal as the off-spinner finished the innings with three for 45. Gul had figures of three for 78, while Junaid Khan and Abdur Rehman took two wickets each.
Tea report
DUBAI // Kumar Sangakkara has played a lone hand as Sri Lanka made a disappointing start to the second Test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Having lost five wickets before the lunch break, Sri Lanka went for tea with 176 for eight on the board.
Rangana Herath, in at No 9 in the batting order and Chanaka Welegedara at No 10 remain at the crease with just Suranga Lakmal to follow.
Only Sangakkara could stand up to the Pakistan attack, scoring 78 before he chipped Abdur Rehman to Asad Shafiq at deep mid-on.
The former Lanka captain, who scored a fine rearguard double century in Abu Dhabi to help Sri Lanka draw the first Test, was impeccable during his 122-ball innings at the crease. But running out of partners, he took his chances against the Pakistan left-arm spinner and failed.
The Pakistan speedsters Umar Gul (three for 49) and Junaid Khan (two for 57), who shared the five wickets to fall in the morning session, left the stage for the two spinners Abdur Rehman (two for 22) and Saeed Ajmal (one for 40) in the post lunch session.
Only four bowlers have been used by Pakistan till now, in 54 overs.
Lunch report
Umar Gul’s three wickets inside the first 40 minutes got Pakistan off to a splendid start in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Gul struck in his second over, catching Lahiru Thirimanne (1) in front of the wicket and Sri Lanka were one down with only three on the board. Tharanga Paranavitana (6) was then back in the dressing room in the ninth over, slashing at a short and widish delivery.
Veteran Mahela Jayawardene departed in the same over, after a four-ball six, and Junaid Khan dismissed captain Tillakaratane Dilshan (7) a bit later to reduce Sri Lanka to 45 for four.
Five minutes before the lunch break, Sri Lanka, who opted to bat first, lost their fifth wicket at 75 when Angelo Mathews (19) edged Junaid to the keeper. The Lankans went into the break with Kumar Sangakkara unbeaten on 29 and Sri Lanka reeling at 78 for five.
Sri Lanka made two changes to the team that drew the first Test in Abu Dhabi, both forced.
Wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, who scored a century on the final day in Abu Dhabi, had to sit out because of an abdominal strain and Kaushal Silva will don the gloves. Nuwab Pradeep, who is carrying a left-knee ligament injury, was rested and Dhammika Prasad took his place.
Pakistan made one change, bringing in left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman for Aizaz Cheema.
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