Talented Azhar Ali finally got a maiden Test century as Pakistan piled pressure on Sri Lanka on the second day of the second Test at Dubai cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
Azhar Ali and Younis Khan hit half centuries on Thursday as Pakistan progressed to 182-3 in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings of 239 on the second day of the second Test at Dubai International Stadium.
Pakistan trailed by 57 at the tea break after Azhar struck six boundaries in an unbeaten 58 off 143 balls in just over three hours. Younis cracked two fours and a six in compiling 55 off 103 balls in 164 minutes.
Pakistan were 42 for no loss in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 239 at the close of the first day of the second test.
Sri Lanka, who chose to bat after winning the toss, slumped to 30-3 and then 154-8 despite a valiant 78 from Kumar Sangakkara before a ninth wicket stand of 75 between ChanakaWelegedara (48) and RanganaHerath (29) lifted them past the 200-mark.
Sangakkara, who celebrates his 34th birthday on Thursday, hit eleven boundaries and added an invaluable 54 runs for the sixth wicket with debutantKaushal Silva (20).
Sangakkara and new wicketkeeperKaushal Silva, replacing the injured PrasannaJayawardene, shared a sixth-wicket stand of 54 after lunch before Pakistan's slow bowlers took over.
Welegedara, whose previous best score of 11 came at Abu Dhabi, hit two sixes and four boundaries during his 127-ball surpirsing knock.
But Sri Lanka's batting, managing just 197 in the first innings in the first Test, failed yet again against a hostile pace-cum spin attack by Pakistan.
PacemanUmarGul (3-78) did the early damage in company with Junaid Khan (2-57) before spinners SaeedAjmal (3-45) and Abdul Rehman (2-40) completed the job at a bouncy Dubai Stadium pitch.
Pakistan replied strongly with openers TaufeeqUmar (20 not out) and Mohammad Hafeez (18 not out) taking their team to 42-0 by the close.
Pakistan, who spurned a good chance to go 1-0 up in the three-match series with sloppy fielding in the first Test at Abu Dhabi last week, moved to 42-0 at close
