Captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s masterclass in patience gave Pakistan a fighting chance of saving the second Test with Sri Lanka.
The 39-year-old had moved from 53 off 119 balls to 97 from 248 when he was bowled shortly before tea on day four. Resuming his innings watchfully, he did not score until his 37th delivery today.
Misbah’s stoicism and a relatively smooth 70 not out from Sarfraz Ahmed took Pakistan to 330 for seven, 107 ahead, when rare rain in Dubai ended play around an hour early.
Misbah and Younus Khan had yesterday added 113 for the fourth wicket but were able to extend that by just 16 today as Suranga Lakmal had Younus caught behind while cutting for 77.
Asad Shafiq followed his skipper’s lead with a patient 23 during a fifty partnership until Shaminda Eranga, armed with the new ball, had Shafiq held at second slip.
Misbah missed out on a sixth Test ton when Rangana Herath produced a sublime delivery that beat the right-hander’s outside edge and clipped off stump.
If that put Sri Lanka on top, Sarfraz and Bilawal Bhatti responded via an alliance worth 67 before Eranga bowled Bhatti with a yorker. The wicketkeeper was accompanied to stumps by Saeed Ajmal.