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Lunch Pakistan 94 for 1 (Hafeez 20*, Ali 8*) v Sri Lanka
Taufeeq and Hafeez opened with 50 or more for the 11th time © AFP
Sri Lanka tried to carry forward the momentum from Galle by inserting Pakistan at the SSC Ground, but on the backbreaker that this pitch is, and against obstinate Pakistan openers, it was a task equivalent to milking rocks. These rocks yielded little milk as Pakistan reached lunch for the loss of just one wicket. Even that wicket was more a gift than reward.
Taufeeq Umar attacked his way to his 21st score of 50 or more, and Mohammad Hafeez felt his way back after troubled existence on this tour. It was no coincidence that the openers came good for Pakistan. They have enjoyed, and deserved, rare faith for a Pakistani opening pairing. This is the 17th straight Test they are opening in, easily a Pakistan record. They have responded with five century stands, another record for Pakistan, and today's 78 was their sixth half-century association. Taufeeq assumed the aggressor's role, dominating strike and scoring, driving through the line with ease against a Sri Lanka attack that was honest but enjoyed little support from the track.
Mahela Jayawardene's call to field first - to exploit whatever little juice the pitch might have and to put the notorious Pakistan batting under pressure - wasn't the only surprise of the morning. He opened the bowling with Angelo Mathews ahead of Nuwan Pradeep, who had been retained despite a slow start to his Test career. As early as the seventh over, the wicketkeeper was up to the stumps as the opening bowlers operated in the mid-120s. Seeing little scope with that plan, M Jayawardene brought Pardeep on early, but his extra pace only made for easier stroke-making.
Taufeeq's two driven boundaries down the ground in the eighth over, Pradeep's second, were the first clear sign of intent. The second of those boundaries took Taufeeq to 23 off 25 out of a score of 26. A watchful, and at times uncertain, Hafeez was 3 off 22 then. In Pradeep's next over, Hafeez edged an outswinger, but soft hands and slowness of the pitch meant it fell well short of slip.
Taufeeq continued playing enterprising cricket, now beginning to score behind square as bowling changes were affected. Suraj Randiv, introduced at the stroke of first hour, was late-cut and paddled for two fours. Mathews came back to be cut away for three fours in the 18th over. The third of those brought up the half-century, out of a team score of 62. No extra had been conceded until then.
First extra and the first wicket were to arrive soon. Taufeeq now grew more adventurous, edging Randiv wide of slip, and sweeping him over the infield in his next over. He then drove Mathews on the up and wide of mid-off. The next ball was short of a length, and he saw another opportunity for a four. It cramped him for room, and Prasanna Jayawardene took a smart catch standing up. Hafeez, 12 off 55 and surely grateful to Taufeeq for letting him stay inconspicuous, now needed to make sure he would be back after lunch too.
In the next 24 minutes, there was the odd moment of discomfort against nemesis Rangana Herath, but no serious incident. The partnership was worth 16 in 6.3 overs.
Taufeeq and Hafeez opened with 50 or more for the 11th time © AFP
Sri Lanka tried to carry forward the momentum from Galle by inserting Pakistan at the SSC Ground, but on the backbreaker that this pitch is, and against obstinate Pakistan openers, it was a task equivalent to milking rocks. These rocks yielded little milk as Pakistan reached lunch for the loss of just one wicket. Even that wicket was more a gift than reward.
Taufeeq Umar attacked his way to his 21st score of 50 or more, and Mohammad Hafeez felt his way back after troubled existence on this tour. It was no coincidence that the openers came good for Pakistan. They have enjoyed, and deserved, rare faith for a Pakistani opening pairing. This is the 17th straight Test they are opening in, easily a Pakistan record. They have responded with five century stands, another record for Pakistan, and today's 78 was their sixth half-century association. Taufeeq assumed the aggressor's role, dominating strike and scoring, driving through the line with ease against a Sri Lanka attack that was honest but enjoyed little support from the track.
Mahela Jayawardene's call to field first - to exploit whatever little juice the pitch might have and to put the notorious Pakistan batting under pressure - wasn't the only surprise of the morning. He opened the bowling with Angelo Mathews ahead of Nuwan Pradeep, who had been retained despite a slow start to his Test career. As early as the seventh over, the wicketkeeper was up to the stumps as the opening bowlers operated in the mid-120s. Seeing little scope with that plan, M Jayawardene brought Pardeep on early, but his extra pace only made for easier stroke-making.
Taufeeq's two driven boundaries down the ground in the eighth over, Pradeep's second, were the first clear sign of intent. The second of those boundaries took Taufeeq to 23 off 25 out of a score of 26. A watchful, and at times uncertain, Hafeez was 3 off 22 then. In Pradeep's next over, Hafeez edged an outswinger, but soft hands and slowness of the pitch meant it fell well short of slip.
Taufeeq continued playing enterprising cricket, now beginning to score behind square as bowling changes were affected. Suraj Randiv, introduced at the stroke of first hour, was late-cut and paddled for two fours. Mathews came back to be cut away for three fours in the 18th over. The third of those brought up the half-century, out of a team score of 62. No extra had been conceded until then.
First extra and the first wicket were to arrive soon. Taufeeq now grew more adventurous, edging Randiv wide of slip, and sweeping him over the infield in his next over. He then drove Mathews on the up and wide of mid-off. The next ball was short of a length, and he saw another opportunity for a four. It cramped him for room, and Prasanna Jayawardene took a smart catch standing up. Hafeez, 12 off 55 and surely grateful to Taufeeq for letting him stay inconspicuous, now needed to make sure he would be back after lunch too.
In the next 24 minutes, there was the odd moment of discomfort against nemesis Rangana Herath, but no serious incident. The partnership was worth 16 in 6.3 overs.