Debutant Haris scores 76 to give Pakistan slender lead

Innings Pakistan 422 (Azhar Ali 85, Haris 76, Herath 5-93) lead Sri Lanka 419 by three runs

Eleven sessions into this match, with only four to go, what has been achieved? A three-run lead. That measly advantage belongs, if you are wondering, to Pakistan. They had begun the session in danger of conceding a lead of over 50, but thanks to Haris Sohail‘s dogged persistence, they stuck around long enough to limp over Sri Lanka’s 419.

The only excitement in this dreary session – and perhaps the innings altogether – was Hasan Ali’s 25-ball 29. In one hyperactive over, he struck two sixes off Rangana Herath, before getting himself stumped. Those brief moments of adventure were soon drowned in this Test’s overwhelming torpor soon enough. The remainder of this session – shortened by 15 minutes because Pakistan’s last-wicket fell very close to scheduled tea – was tortuous for the viewer. Sri Lanka spread the field to Sohail, and he routinely turned down singles into the outfield in order to shield Mohammad Abbas from the strike. Abbas, though, kept out 34 deliveries and scored a solitary run. Sohail, who had hit a half-century in his maiden Test innings, would eventually be the man dismissed, for 76 off 161.

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Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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