Lanka 'A' stage fightback in second 'Test'

MULTAN, Sept 23: Sri Lanka 'A' staged a fight back after being bowled for a modest total on the opening day of the second and final Test against Pakistan 'A' at Multan Cricket Stadium here Monday.

The tourists reduced the home team to 85 for five after making only 184 in their first innings after Pakistan 'A' captain Moin Khan had won the toss and elected to field first.

After a solid start, Sri Lanka 'A' batting crumbled with the last five wickets tumbling for 21 runs. Abdul Rauf and his new ball partner Umar Gul caused the major damage by sharing eight wickets between them.

Avishka Gunawardena top-scored with 36 off 61 balls. The left-hander hitting four boundaries. Jehan Mubarak, another left-hander who made an unbeaten 93 in the first Test defeat at Faisalabad last week, contributed 35. His 84-ball knock was laced with five hits to the fence.

Mohammad Zahid picked one wicket in eight overs after coming on second change when he had Jeewan Mendis caught behind by Moin.

Pakistan 'A', making eight changes to the side which won the first Test by nine wickets, could have ended the day on a happier note had they not lost Qaiser Abbas and Yasir Arafat in quick successions.