Pakistan batting crumbles again in Dubai

Hosts rolled over for 165 after middle-order collapse on day one.

DUBAI: Pakistan’s poor run in first innings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium continues as the hosts failed for a paltry first innings score at the venue for the third consecutive time.

Misbahul Haq’s men were sent packing for a mere 165 following scores of 99 each in the last two first innings at the venue against England and South Africa.

Put on a challenging track, the hosts survived manfully in the opening session losing a single wicket. The second session was a complete contrast though as a series of reckless shots saw the middle-order perish without a fight.

Pakistan lost five wickets in the post lunch session and were folded for a mere 165 with struggling opener Khurram Manzoor the only beacon of hope as he justified the team management’s faith in him with an enterprising 73 runs knock.

Sri Lankan front line bowlers bowled admirably on a sporting track with Nuwan Pradeep and Rangana Herath claiming three wickets each, Pradeep was making a comeback in the Test fold after a long lay-off.

He was drafted in as the only change in the Sri Lankan team for the Test while Pakistan brought in Sarfaraz Ahmed in place of the injured wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal.

The tourists reached 57 for one in reply to round off a fine day in the field; the only wicket to fall was that of Dimuth Karunaratne who was dismissed by Junaid Khan for 32 runs.