Cricket: Pakistanis take control

Bilawal Bhatti. Photo / AP

Paceman Bilawal Bhatti removed Sri Lankan batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene off successive deliveries to put Pakistan in command of the first test yesterday.

The 22-year-old debutant removed Sangakkara (55) with the last ball of his 10th over and then had Jaya-wardene off the first of his next to leave Sri Lanka at 186 for four in their second innings at stumps on the third day on a Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch in Abu Dhabi which had eased out for batsmen.

Junaid (2-46) built on the strikes by dismissing Kaushal Silva for 81, caught behind in the last over of the day.

Before that Silva, playing in his second test, and Sangakkara added 99 for the second wicket which had thwarted Pakistan's pace/spin attack in the last session.

Dinesh Chandimal was the unbeaten batsman with 24 as Sri Lanka, who conceded a 179-run lead in the first innings, moved seven runs ahead with six wickets in hand.

Earlier, Pakistan were dismissed for 383 runs in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 204.

"Sangakkara and Jayawardene are big names and [the] strength of Sri Lankan batting and I am proud at getting their wickets," said Bhatti.

The experienced Sangakkara, who hit an epic double hundred to draw a test at the same venue against Pakistan in 2011, brought up his 43rd test 50 with a crisp cut shot off Bhatti (2-65) for his sixth boundary.

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq scored 135. He hit 16 boundaries and a six off 306 balls before being last man out, caught at long-off from spinner Rangana Herath.

In all, Misbah batted for 425 minutes.

- AFP