Pakistan's middle order mounted a valiant recovery to end Day 2

After a difficult start, Pakistan's middle order mounted a valiant recovery to end Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka on 221-5, behind by 91 runs. In the afternoon session, Pakistan dropped to 101-5 after Dhananjaya de Silva's century helped Sri Lanka post 312 in its first innings. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, on the other hand, claimed three wickets on his favourite pitch, helping Sri Lanka reach that score. The visitors appeared to be about to give up a sizable first-innings advantage, but Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman skillfully countered.

Together, the two played some exciting strokes as they added an unbroken 120 for the sixth wicket. Thanks to deft footwork, they prevented Sri Lanka's spinners from settling and putting the loose balls away. Rain again played a factor, much like it did on Day 1, and only 75 out of the scheduled 98 overs were feasible.