Hasan keeps Pakistan afloat with unbeaten 89

An unbeaten 89 by skipper Hasan Raza kept together Pakistan 'A' first innings on the second day of the first Unofficial Test against Sri Lanka at Rangiri International Stadium in Dambulla (Sri Lanka) Thursday.

At stumps Pakistan had recovered to 192 for eight after being in tatters at 35 for four, according to details available here. The visitors are still 28 runs adrift of Sri Lanka 'A' total of 220.

Hasan, who has so far batted for almost five and a half hours, slammed seven boundaries during his 224-ball knock. The right-hander shared in two face-saving partnerships after Imran Farhat (20 off 29 balls, four fours), Taufiq Umar (6), Faisal Naveed (0) and Qaiser Abbas (3) had been dismissed in the first session. Misbah-ul-Haq dominated a fifthwicket stand of 69 in 116 minutes with his captain to contribute 40 off 109 deliveries. His innings was laced with eight hits to the fence.

All-rounder Yasir Arafat made a patient 17 in a stay of 117 minutes during which he faced 93 balls. The seventh-wicket partnership between Hasan and Yasir realised 63 runs. Thilan Samaraweera, the Sri Lanka 'A' skipper, did most of the damage with his off-spinners. He ended the day with figures of four for 42 in 16 overs. Left-arm paceman Ruchira Perera claimed two for 31 in 19 overs while slow left-armer Sajika Weerakoon and medium-pacer Akalanka Ganegama took one wicket piece.