Umar Gul puts Pak on top in 2nd Test

Pakistan bowled and fielded well to bowl Sri Lanka out for another low score of 239 in the first innings to finish the opening day of the second Test on top here yesterday

Pakistan bowled and fielded well to bowl Sri Lanka out for another low score of 239 in the first innings to finish the opening day of the second Test on top here yesterday.

Lethal swing:

Umar Gul celebrates one of his three wickets against
Sri Lanka during the second Test at Dubai yesterday. Pic/AFP

Paceman Umar Gul (3-78) did the early damage in company with Junaid Khan (2-57) before spinners Saeed Ajmal (3-45) and Abdul Rehman (2-40) completed the job on a bouncy Dubai Stadium pitch. Pakistan, who spurned a good chance to go 1-0 up in the three-match series with sloppy fielding in the first Test at Abu Dhabi last week, moved to 42-0 at close.

Openers Mohammad Hafeez (18) and Taufiq Umar (20) were at the crease on a day when Pakistani bowlers dominated yet again. Sri Lanka, who chose to bat after winning the toss, slumped to 30-3 and then 154-8 despite a valiant 78 from Kumar Sangakkara before a stand of 75 between Chanaka Welegedara (48) and Rangana Herath (29) lifted them past the 200-mark.

Gul said the pitch had moisture: "Our coach (Mohsin Khan) told us that there is moisture on the pitch so we bowled in the right areas and got the reward. We are happy to get them out cheaply." Sangakkara was disappointment. "Pakistan made good use of the new ball and it was a bit disappointing to lose early wickets but a good fightback took us to 239 and now we must keep Pakistan to a low total," he said.