GALLE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam and left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq appeared firm after an early dismissal of last match hero Abdullah Shafique as they took the visitors to 89/1 while chasing a mammoth 508 before the bad light forced early stumps on the fourth day.
Only six overs could be bowled in the final session of the fourth day as the bad light halted the action while Babar and Imam were carrying the run chase for Pakistan. The umpires, after multiple inspections, then called it a day as they removed the bails; indicating the early stumps.
Pakistan, who have a mountain to climb as they need to pull off the highest-ever run chase in Tests to seal the second Test, finished at 89/1; needing further 419 runs.
Left-handed opener Imam remained the top-scorer for the visitors with an unbeaten 46, while skipper Babar scored 26 not-out on 38 deliveries.
Set to chase a mammoth 508, the visitors had a rather unwanted start to their campaign as they lost their opener and last match hero Abdullah at a combined score of 42.
Pakistan openers appeared steady and were cruising at a decent pace before Sri Lanka top spinner Prabath Jayasuriya claimed his first wicket as he removed Abdullah for 16, who faced 51 deliveries and smashed three boundaries.
Pakistan’s dependable pair of Babar and Imam then took the responsibility and added 29 runs for the second wicket and made sure the touring side do not lose further wickets before the Tea break.
Imam remained unbeaten on 40, while Babar scored a quick 14 not-out on 18 deliveries.
After enjoying a delightful first session of the fourth day, Sri Lanka added a crucial 67 runs to their total to set a massive target for the visitors at the back of an astonishing century from de Silva.
The right-handed batter put on another valiant partnership for his team as he added 82 runs for the eighth wicket with the help of Ramesh Mendis, who chipped in with an unbeaten 45 off 55 balls, laced with five boundaries.
The Sri Lankan called off their innings after their top-scorer de Silva fell as a result of a mix-up between the wickets and a direct hit from Yasir. He scored 109 off 171 balls with the help of 16 boundaries.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz claimed two wickets each, while Yasir, Salman Ali Agha, and Nauman Ali made one scalp each.
Earlier, the home side, resuming at an overnight score of 176/5, enjoyed a delightful session as they added 121 runs for the loss of two wickets in the opening session of the fourth day.
Sri Lanka captain Karunaratne and all-rounder de Silva showed no signs of rusting as they carried the momentum to give their side a solid start at the commencement of the day.
The duo appeared solid and neutralized the threat posed by the Pakistan bowlers and added 67 runs before Nauman made his first scalp to remove Karunaratne, who scored 61 off 105 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.
Right-handed batter de Silva, on the other hand, looked unaffected from the dismissal as he joined hands with the tailender Dinuth Wellalage to put on an important 35-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Wellalage displayed grit in the course of his outstanding 18-run knock but Nawaz removed him via a caught behind and caused the hosts to slip at 278/7.
Pakistan bowlers then remained unable to pounce on the breakthrough as the hosts added a further 19 runs before the Lunch break to finish at a commanding 297/7.
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