Rain stops play as Pakistan take fight into final day

DUBAI: Pakistan reached 330-7 at stumps to lead Sri Lanka by 107 runs after rain stopped the play on the fourth day of the second Test at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

At close, Sarfraz Ahmed was batting with determination to save the match for Pakistan along with tail-ender Saeed Ajmal. Sarfraz who completed his maiden Test fifty after tea break, was at the crease with an unbeaten 70 while Saeed remained not out on seven.

Earlier, veteran batsman Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq added 129 valuable runs for the fourth wicket partnership. Younis made 77 and Misbah scored 97.

Later, Misbah made 52 with Asad Shafiq (23) and 45 with Sarfraz before he was bowled by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, just three runs short of his sixth Test hundred.

Then, allrounder Bilawal Bhatti, playing only his second Test, joined Sarfraz to add 67 runs for the seventh wicket partnership. Bilawal scored 32, hitting four boundaries in his highest Test score.

Pakistan were still in danger of defeat and all their hopes of saving the match are on Sarfraz and rain.