PAK vs SL: Babar Azam fights back after Prabath Jayasuriya topples Pakistan's batting line-up

GALLE: Pakistan all-format skipper Babar Azam fought back and scored a crucial century after the visitor's batting order collapsed in their first innings of the first Test here at the Galle International Stadium.

Babar show his class yet again and scored 119 runs in 244 balls to help Pakistan get back in the game after they were reduced to 104-7 at lunch, thanks to Prabath Jayasuriya's exceptional five-for.

During his special knock, Babar smashed Indian batter Virat Kohli's record to become the fastest Asian batter to complete 10,000 runs in international cricket.

Young pacer Naseem Shah also showed fighting spirit and frustrated the Sri Lankan bowling line-up as he faced 52 deliveries, and scored five runs, remained not out.

Unluckily, Babar was trapped for an lbw by Maheesh Theekshana, who claimed his second wicket of the first innings, and bowled out Pakistan for 218.

Yasir Shah and Hasan Ali also scored 18 and 17 runs, respectively.

After Pakistan were bowled out for 218, Sri Lanka started their first innings and scored 36 runs at the loss of one wicket.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz sent Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne back to the pavilion after he scored 16 runs in 29 balls.

Oshanda Fernando 17 (35), and Kasun Rajitha 3 (7) will continue their second innings on the third day.

Earlier, Jayasuriya put up a sensational performance for Sri Lanka as the hosts reduced Pakistan to 104-7 at lunch.

In a rain-delayed match, Jayasuriya claimed four crucial wickets in the first session of the second day to topple the touring party's batting order.

Azhar Ali, who only made three runs on the first day, couldn't add any run to his innings as he was trapped for an lbw by Jayasuriya, putting Pakistan under immense pressure.

In the 30th over, all-rounder Ramesh Mendis got the better of wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 19 runs in 35 balls before getting caught by Niroshan Dickwella.

Debutant Agha Ali Salman lost his wicket to Jayasuriya after making only 5 runs off 15 balls.

Later in the 39th over, Mohammad Nawaz lost his wicket to a brave catch by Oshanda Fernando off Jayasuriya's ball, who took a sensational grab to send the all-rounder back to the pavilion. The left-arm spinner was on a hattrick after he tricked Shaheen Shah Afridi and trapped him for an lbw on a golden duck.

On the first day, Sri Lanka took two early wickets as Pakistan's nervous openers Abdullah Shafique, and Imam-ul-Haq departed after scoring 13 and two runs, respectively.

Before that, Pakistan had restricted Sri Lanka to 222-run after Shaheen showcased his skills and talent in spin-friendly conditions and claimed four wickets to topple the hosts' batting order.

Hasan Ali and Yasir Shah also claimed two wickets each.

Dinesh Chandimal 76 (115) top-scored for the hosts but couldn't reach his century.

Playing XIs:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc, wk), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi and Yasir Shah

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunartne (c) Oshanda Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya