Sikandar Raza is nearing his maiden test century after pulling Zimbabwe out from a precarious position to take a 262-run second innings lead at stumps Sunday on the third day of the one-off test against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe resumed its second innings with a slender 10-run first innings lead but soon found itself five down for 59 in its second innings. But Raza shared 86 runs for the sixth wicket with Peter Moor (40) and an unbroken 107-run stand for the seventh wicket with Malcolm Waller who is batting on 57. Raza was on 97 not out, off 158 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries and a six.
The unbroken seventh wicket partnership has lasted more than 26 overs. The lead is a challenging score on a pitch expected to spin more in the fourth innings. Rangana Herath took four wickets for Sri Lanka in addition to the five he took in the first innings.
Herath opened his account in the second innings by bowling out Regis Chakabva with the total on 14. He then had Tarisai Musakanda (0) caught by Dimuth Karunaratne and trapped Hamilton Masakadza (7) lbw. Herath then bowled out Sean Williams for 22 to finish the day with four for 85. Zimbabwe scored 356 in its first innings and bowled out Sri Lanka for 346.
