![sri lankan cricketer dimuth karunaratne r and captain angelo mathews 2l run between the wickets as pakistan cricketer junaid khan 2r looks on during the final day of the second test cricket match between sri lanka and pakistan at the p sara oval cricket stadium in colombo on june 29 2015 photo afp sri lankan cricketer dimuth karunaratne r and captain angelo mathews 2l run between the wickets as pakistan cricketer junaid khan 2r looks on during the final day of the second test cricket match between sri lanka and pakistan at the p sara oval cricket stadium in colombo on june 29 2015 photo afp](https://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/911870-JunaidKhanAFP-1435606450.jpg)
After the first-innings meltdown, Pakistan were pegged firmly on the back foot and had to play catch-up in the remainder of the game. In Sri Lanka’s first innings, some shoddy fielding and poor umpiring allowed the hosts to claw back after Yasir Shah had continued to impress, giving Pakistan a glimmer of hope. The captain’s show left a lot to be desired as he seemed to be playing a waiting game and did not show as much aggression as was perhaps, required. In Pakistan’s second innings, other than the obdurate Azhar Ali, no batsman stayed at the wicket long enough to make a difference. Even the ever-dependable Younus Khan — appearing in his 100th Test — looked out of sorts. Misbah, Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed all failed to convert their starts into substantial contributions. At the top of the order, Mohammad Hafeez had a largely forgettable match and with doubts about the legality of his bowling action surfacing again, the seasoned campaigner is set to endure some tough days ahead. Wahab Riaz’s injury has also tilted the balance in favour of the hosts and Pakistan have a lot to ponder on in the days leading up to the third Test that starts on July 4.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2015.
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