Pak in SL: Shehzad and Ali put Pakistan in strong position on Day 3

Pakistan bounced back with a much better performance after a 120-run partnership for the second wicket by Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali as they trailed the Sri Lanka first innings by six when third day’s play was stopped early due to rain of the second Test at the P. Sara Oval today (27).   Pakistan were battling strongly at 171 for the loss of two wickets in their second innings in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 315.   The visitors, electing to bat first, were shot out for 138 in their first innings.   Shehzad, made 69 of 154 deliveries as Ali remained unbeaten on 64 after facing 152 balls alongside Younis Khan who was 23 not out off 35 deliveries.   Sri Lanka were bowled out for 315 runs, and were able to add 11 runs to their overnight total.   Opener Kaushal Silva top scored for the hosts with an elegant 80 off 218 balls inclusive of 10 fours while skipper Angelo Mathews made 77 from 153 balls with eight boundaries in it.   Leg spinner Yasir Shah captured six scalps as the Sri Lankans took a first innings lead of 177 runs.   The match will end on Monday (29).   Pakistan fields an unchanged from the first Test, which they won at Galle by 10 wickets.   Sri Lanka made two changes to the side that played at Galle, by bringing in debutant Chameera and Kaushal in place of Nuwan Pradeep and Dilruwan Perera.   Pakistan   First innings 138 all out (42.5) (Mohammad Hafeez 42, Azhar Ali 26, Zulfiqar Babar 15, Tharindu Kaushal 5/42, Dhammika Prasad 3/43)   Second innings 171 for 2 wickets (59) at stumps on Day 3 (Ahmed Shehzad 69m Azhar Ali 64n.o, Younis Khan 23n.o.)   Sri Lanka   First innings 315 all out (121.3) (Kaushal Silva 80, Dimuth Karunaratne 28, Kumar Sangakkara 34, Angelo Mathews 77, Dhammika Prasad 35, Rangana Herath 18n.o, Tharindu Kaushal 18, Yasir Shah 6/96)