13 July,2009 02:01 PM IST | | AFP
Pakistan bowlers made amends for the team's batting failure by grabbing five Sri Lankan wickets on the second morning of the second Test today.
The hosts, who bowled Pakistan out for a paltry 90 on the first day, went from their overnight score of 164-3 to 226-8 by lunch, a lead of 136 runs with two wickets in hand.
Seamer Umar Gul extracted reverse swing with the old ball to return with 4-43, including the wickets of Nuwan Kulasekera and Rangana Herath off successive deliveries.
Thilan Thushara denied Gul a hat-trick and was unbeaten on one at the break. Angelo Mathews was the other batsman at the crease on 14.
Pakistan fought back splendidly in the field after falling for their lowest total against Sri Lanka.
The hosts lost the overnight pair of skipper Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera within the first hour for the addition of 24 runs.
Samaraweera, who made 21 in a fourth-wicket stand of 44 with his captain, was run out by a direct throw from Mohammad Aamer at mid-off while trying to attempt a cheeky single.
Sangakkara plodded from his overnight score of 81 to 87, but was denied a 19th Test century when Gul pegged back his off-stump with a reverse-swinging delivery that came in sharply.
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who had claimed two wickets on Sunday, earned another crucial break when umpire Daryl Harper ruled Tillakaratne Dilshan caught at the wicket by Kamran Akmal for 20 to make Sri Lanka 203-6.
The hosts tripped to 220-8 soon after when Gul had Kulasekera edging a wild heave to Misbah-ul Haq at first slip before taking a return catch off Herath with the next delivery.
Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Galle by 50 runs last week.
