Sri Lanka recovered to take the prized wickets of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik and fight its way back into the first cricket Test against Pakistan.

Pakistan finished the second day at 8-256 - a lead of just 13 runs. Tailenders Mohammad Sami (2 not out) and Shoaib Akhtar (6 not out), who earlier took five wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings total of 243, both survived the last three overs of the day.

"The Test is not finished as yet, we will try to post a big score and take at least 80 to 90 runs lead tomorrow," fast bowler Akhtar told reporters.

"We should have restricted Sri Lanka to below 200, but it was a good batting wicket," said Akhtar, who is nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express."

Left-arm spinner Sanath Jayasuriya opened up Pakistan's tail by dismissing Moin Khan (5) late in the last session, while Abdul Razzaq (39) was neatly caught by Mahela Jayawardene in the slips three overs before stumps off left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas.

Inzamam (32) top edged left-arm spinner Rangana Herath soon after tea while Malik (48) hit seven crisp boundaries in his knock but missed his maiden half century when Vaas ran him out off a direct throw from mid on.

Opening batsman Yasir Hameed was the top scorer with 58 and gave a blazing start to Pakistan's reply as the home team was comfortably placed at 1-85 in 20 overs.

However, medium-pacer Dilhara Fernando struck twice after lunch. Asim Kamal (11) chased Fernando's wide delivery to Jayawardene while Hameed, who hit 10 boundaries, mistimed a pull shot and Jehan Mubarak plucked a splendid two-handed diving catch at square leg.

Yousuf Youhana (17) was caught behind while attempting a loose shot off left-arm Herath before Malik and Inzamam added 54 runs for the fifth wicket.

Pakistan lost opener Imran Farhat (11), who was also caught by Mubarak at deep square leg off paceman Lasith Malinga's short delivery before lunch.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP