Pakistan strike back with three SL wickets after yet another batting collapse.

Byline: Khalid H. Khan

KARACHI -- The opening day of the second cricket Test of the ICC World Test Championship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka provided fascinating battle at the National Stadium here on Thursday with honours equally shared by the two teams.

The pitch became the talking point early into the game after no less than 13 wickets fell for just 258 runs. Pakistan were seeking to cash in on the advantage of winning the toss but their dreams were dashed in the dramatic last session which was full of drama. The hosts set the tone as their now-familiar collapse led to the final six wickets tumbling for the addition of just 23 runs in 47 deliveries and Pakistan were dismissed for 191 - their fourth lowest team total in a Karachi Test.

The damage was inflicted upon Azhar Ali's side by Sri lanka's pace-cum spin combination of Lahiru Kumara and the orthodox Lasith Embuldeniya, who between them finished with four wickets apiece following an incisive new-ball spell from the impressive Vishwa Fernando. Kumara bagged 4-49 in 18 overs.

After it seemed that Sri Lanka had taken control during the 10-minute changeover, Pakistan fought back into contention to leave the tourists also in a state of anxiety at 64-3, still 127 runs behind on the first innings. Upfront, the gangling Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Oshada Fernando (4) with the aid of Decision Review System (DRS) after the caught-behind appeal was initially turned down.

Sri Lanka then suffered further shocks shortly after Mohammad Abbas switched to the Pavillion End. The seamer first forced Dimuth Karunaratne to play onto the stumps with a delivery pitching on the off-stump and the departure of the in-form visiting captain for a 42-ball 25 (four boundaries) was followed up by the dismissal of Kusal Mendis.

Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq impress with half-centuries on tricky wicket

The talented right-hander, who made 13, waited for a while before edging a low catch to Haris Sohail at the first slip. Umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson decided to ask TV umpire Gregory Brathwaite for the ruling, while adjudging Mendis out on the soft signal.

Asad Shafiq expressed his astonishment over the abnormal behaviour of the playing surface at such an early stage after top-scoring with 63 (off 126 balls, six boundaries) during the Pakistan innings.

'We are not offering any excuses for being bowled out for such a low score. But definitely the way ball kicked up was surprising to see on a first-day pitch,' the...