Pakistan fail to take chances again

After losing the first day to rain and a chunk of the second to a wet outfield, Pakistan chose to bowl in Galle, a decision their vice-captain Azhar Ali said was "situational" because the pitch had been under covers for so long. The surface did not turn out to be responsive to pace, but Pakistan could have had better returns than three wickets, had they been disciplined in the field.

Negligence in the field is a constant problem for Pakistan and they suffered as early as the second over in Galle, when Wahab Riaz had Dimuth Karunaratne caught at slip off a no-ball. Yasir Shah, who isn't a specialist fielder at point, dropped Kaushal Silva on 6, while Azhar grassed a tough chance off Kumar Sangakkara on 24 and also missed a run-out. Both batsmen made half-centuries, and Silva was unbeaten on 80 at stumps.

Despite the hours spent on drills, the on-field results have not improved significantly, but Azhar played down critical questions of Pakistan's fielding. "I think we just gave away one chance, which should have been taken but all the guys were giving their full effort," he said. "I think we bowled very well despite (the batting track) and created chances."

With two left-arm quicks in Wahab and Junaid Khan, Pakistan wanted to take advantage of any moisture in the pitch but it began to dry fast after the covers were removed. Wahab broke the opening stand in the 13th over, but Silva and Sangakkara had a century partnership.

"It might not have been the best decision to bowl first but it was more of a situational decision," Azhar said. "Help was there for the spinners, and with the little bit of moisture in the pitch because it was under covers for almost a day and half, we wanted to take early wickets. We didn't get as many but we are still in the game."

At least one of the remaining three days in the Test is expected to be hit by rain, but Azhar said Pakistan's focus was to control whatever play took place. "We know that every session we play, we have to be on top of our game otherwise it will bite you. Effectively we have played one day out of two but still we want to control the game and would love to win this from here.

"The conditions sometime change with the weather and the surface could liven up with clouds hovering around. But we are focusing on our strength and not thinking too much about conditions. Our main target is to get them out as soon as possible and keep the run flow dry. We are not just going with the flow, we want to win this."

Wahab will be key to how Pakistan fare in this Test, and he was the most impressive bowler on the second day, taking 2 for 51 in 15 overs. He bowled with aggression, targeting a short of a length even if it cost him a few runs. "Every bowler has his strength and we don't want to snub it," Azhar said. "We always back his strength and what he wants to do. We know he can trouble any batsman with his pace and we are giving him a free hand with the short length.

"As a bowling unit we give him freedom because he creates chances and when you take wickets, regardless of extra runs, you have a chance to win the game."