GALLE, Sri Lanka: Ramesh Mendis completed a five-wicket haul as Sri Lanka bowled Pakistan out for 231 to take a 147-run first-innings advantage on Tuesday before extending its lead to 323 when the third day of the second test ended early due to bad light.
Sri Lanka was 176-5 in its second innings at stumps at Galle International Stadium.
Although Pakistan bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals, an unbroken 59-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva saw Sri Lanka’s lead pass 300 runs.
Sri Lanka will still be cautious after Pakistan impressed in the first test. The hosts had set a target of 342 but Pakistan won by four wickets in the last session of the final day with a record successful chase at Galle.
Karunaratne, who is struggling with back spasms, only came out to bat after the fall of the fourth wicket. He was feeling uneasy while running between the wickets but was unbeaten on 27 when play was called off with 19 overs left.
De Silva dominated the partnership as he posted 30 not out off 52 deliveries with six fours.
Niroshan Dickwella opened the batting in place of Karunaratne and was caught behind off Naseem Shah (2-29) when he chased a wide delivery without any feet movement.
The spin trio of Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Agha Salman picked up a wicket apiece to keep Pakistan interested as Sri Lanka lost four wickets between lunch and tea, going from 22-0 to 109-4.
Naseem came back for a second spell later in the day to dismiss Dinesh Chandimal (21) in similar fashion to Dickwella.
Sri Lanka was 117-5 and only had a lead of 264 at that point but the partnership between Karunaratne and de Silva gave the advantage to the hosts.
Earlier, Pakistan resumed on 191-7 and added only 40 runs in the morning. Yasir Shah (26) and Hasan Ali (21) added 32 runs for the eighth wicket batting out the first hour of the morning. However, there was not much resistance from the rest of the tail as off-spinner Mendis accounted for the last two wickets to return 5-47 from 21.1 overs, his third five-wicket haul in a test innings.
The series is continuing despite economic and political turmoil in the island nation, which has led to severe shortages of essential items such as fuel, cooking gas and medicine.
Protesters from across the country gathered in the capital Colombo earlier this month to oust President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had to flee the country.
The second test was scheduled for Colombo but was shifted to the coastal town of Galle fearing trouble in the capital.
Sri Lanka builds lead to 323 in 2nd test against Pakistan
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Sri Lanka builds lead to 323 in 2nd test against Pakistan
- Sri Lanka will still be cautious after Pakistan impressed in the first test
- Series is continuing despite economic and political turmoil in the island nation
Pakistan consults banks on financial stability as Middle East conflict rattles global markets
- Finance minister says government monitoring global supply chains, energy markets amid regional tensions
- Banks pledge coordination with government and central bank to ensure uninterrupted financial services
KARACHI: Pakistan’s finance minister held consultations with the country’s banking sector on Wednesday to review potential economic risks from the escalating Middle East conflict and ensure financial stability, according to a government statement.
The virtual meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and senior representatives of the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) came as tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have driven volatility in global oil and financial markets, raising concerns for import-dependent economies such as Pakistan.
Islamabad has already faced pressure from rising fuel prices and potential supply disruptions in energy markets, prompting officials to closely monitor global developments and assess possible impacts on inflation, external accounts and broader macroeconomic stability.
“The discussion focused on the evolving economic and financial situation in light of prevailing regional developments and the importance of close coordination between the government, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the banking sector to ensure financial stability and uninterrupted financial services,” the finance ministry said in a statement after the minister's meeting with PBA officials.
Aurangzeb told banking leaders the government had established a high-level coordination mechanism involving key economic ministries and institutions to continuously review developments in global markets, particularly in supply chains and energy.
He said authorities were conducting regular scenario analysis to evaluate possible implications for inflation, external accounts and overall economic stability while ensuring the continuity of essential supplies.
“The government remains engaged with relevant stakeholders and international partners as part of its efforts to safeguard the country’s economic interests,” the minister said, according to the statement.
Aurangzeb also emphasized the importance of coordinated decision-making and operational resilience within the financial sector during periods of uncertainty, encouraging banks to continue supporting businesses and customers while maintaining responsible risk management.
PBA Chairman Zafar Masud briefed the finance minister on the banking sector’s internal consultations and preparedness measures in response to the evolving situation, the statement said.
Masud said the banking industry had set up a coordination framework for timely consultation and information sharing among financial institutions, aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of financial services and payment systems.
He added that banks would remain in close engagement with the State Bank of Pakistan and other stakeholders while maintaining regular consultations within the industry to monitor developments and support financial market stability.
