GALLE, Sri Lanka: Pakistan's tailenders scored heavily before the tourists were bowled out for 451 at tea on the second day of the first test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed (55) and No. 8 Abdul Rehman (50) both smashed half centuries in quick time after elegant Younis Khan made a splendid 177 in just over eight hours against some ineffective Sri Lanka bowling.
Resuming at the overnight 261-4, Pakistan lost only Asad Shafiq in the morning session when Rangana Herath (3-116) had him leg before wicket for 75.
Khan's marathon knock, which featured 15 fours and a six, ended soon after the break when he offered a tame catch at short midwicket as Dilruwan Perera (5-137) claimed the last four wickets to end Sri Lanka's frustration in the last over before tea.
Earlier, Khan and Shafiq watchfully played out the first hour and added 32 more runs, stretching their partnership to 137, before Herath got the breakthrough with an arm ball after the batsman had added 20 to his overnight 55.
Shafiq, whose No. 6 spot in the side was under scrutiny, hit eight fours and two sixes in his 147-ball knock that could cement his place.
Khan used his feet well against Herath and didn't hesitate to sweep the left-arm spinner with utmost control as the pitch flattened out.
Ahmed and Khan upped the scoring rate with some neat drives and added a rapid 66 runs before Khan walked down the crease but ended up chipping the ball to Kithuruwan Vithanage, who dived forward and took a low catch.
But Pakistan's tailenders continued to pile on runs and Ahmed completed his half century when he drove Perera to the mid-on fence for his sixth boundary before he gave a straightforward catch to captain Angelo Mathews at mid-on.
Rehman ensured Pakistan went past the 450-run mark with some attractive strokes that included three successive boundaries off fast bowler Shaminda Eranga's one over before holing out in deep to Kumar Sangakkara at long on.
