First Test: Umar’s ton gives Pakistan the advantage

Hafeez, Ali hit half-centuries to establish 62-run lead against Sri Lanka on day two.

ABU DHABI: Taufiq Umar hit his sixth Test century and fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez scored 75 as Pakistan took a firm grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Abu Dhabi stadium on Wednesday.

The left-hander made an undefeated 109 and added 118 for the opening wicket with Hafeez and another unbroken 141 for the third wicket with Azhar Ali (60 not out) as Pakistan reached 259 for one by stumps, a lead of 62 with eight wickets intact.

If it was the Pakistan bowlers who shined on the first day, with Junaid Khan taking five wickets, on Tuesday it was the batsmen’s turn who completely blunted an ordinary looking Sri Lanka bowling attack that toiled hard all day in vain.

Umar, Hafeez and Ali batted without any trouble on an unresponsive pitch to frustrate the Sri Lankans, who remained in search for an elusive wicket in the first and third sessions.

Nothing worked for Sri Lanka after their batsmen had collapsed yesterday. Mahela Jayawardene - one of the safest slip fielders around - failed to hold on to the only real chance that Pakistan gave during the day. Ali, on 7, edged Rangana Herath towards slip but Jayawardene could not grasp the ball as it died in front of him.

After Hafeez had batted with purpose in a productive morning session, Umar and Ali stonewalled at under two runs an over till tea before displaying some urgency in the final session to leave Sri Lanka completely deflated.

Umar had played second fiddle to Hafeez while the right-hander was at the crease, blocked half-volleys after lunch along with Ali and displayed refreshing freedom after tea to reach his second century in three Tests.

Azhar, mostly bordering on the over-cautious, continued to display the solidity that has marked his short career with another half-century in a burgeoning partnership.

Sri Lanka captain Tillekaratne Dilshan took the second new ball in the 81st over in search of a wicket but even that did not bring any luck for the islanders as Umar hit three boundaries, two off Suranga Lukmal and then glanced the same bowler for a single to bring up his hundred off 259 balls.

Sri Lanka’s three-pronged pace attack and spinners failed to give any trouble to the openers on a pitch which had some grass on the first day.

Umar happy with ton

Umar was happy that his century helped the team’s cause.

“I am happy that I fulfilled team requirements which were to stay at the pitch and put up a good total,” said Umar who hit eight boundaries during his patient knock.

“We had to spend time at the wicket and the key was the partnerships which you need in Tests. Hafeez and I first with a 100-plus partnership and then with Azhar, we are in the driving seat right now through that. We will keep going like this tomorrow.”

Sri Lanka batting coach Marvan Atapattu admitted his team needed to bat out of their skins to get out of trouble.

“We have to bat out of this disappointing situation,” he said. “We missed a good chance in the first innings and had luck been with us we would have got more than one wicket.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2011.