Fast bowlers ruled the roost on the first day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Karachi on Thursday.
Sri Lanka pacers were all over Pakistan batsman, dismissing them just 191 before the hosts hit back to reduce the islanders to 64-3 by stumps.
Asad Shafiq (63) and Babar Azam (60) looked like taking the hosts to respectable total after early strikes from the Sri Lankan quicks but the visitors maintained the pressure through pace and spin to dismiss Pakistan for 191 in the 60th over.
Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with figures of 4-49 from his 18 overs and was given excellent support by fellow new ball bowler Vishwa Fernando, who took the scalps of opener Shan Masood and captain Azhar Ali – both comprehensively bowled while defending the ball against the left-arm quick.
Right-arm fast bowler Kumara topped speeds of 90mph on a lively wicket to push the Pakistan batsmen on to the back foot.
Kumara had first Test centurion Abid Ali lbw and got Shafiq to top edge a pull to fine leg. He also accounted for wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and the dangerous Yasir Shah cheaply to ensure Sri Lanka held the upper hand after the hosts decided to bat first.
Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya was also on target for the Sri Lankans, taking 4-71 including the all-important wicket of Babar, who was stumped.
In reply, Pakistan quicks also found help from the surface. Mohammad Abbas picked up two wickets, including the crucial one of captain Dimuth Karunaratne while Shaheen Afridi got the wicket of Oshada Fernando.
