Second day's play curtailed by rain

FAISALABAD, Sept 18: Rain curtailed play on the second day just as Pakistan 'A' were batting themselves into a position of strength against Sri Lanka 'A' in the first Test at Iqbal Stadium here Wednesday.

Shortly before tea Pakistan 'A' had reached 149 for two in reply to the visitors' first innings score of 183 when play was halted as soon as Faisal Iqbal was out for 54.

Umpires Aleem Dar and Nadeem Ghauri finally decided to end play for the day at 4.05pm as the rain got heavier.

Imran Farhat was an early casualty after the home team had resumed at 32 for no loss. He was caught at the wicket, by Charith Fernando off medium-pacer Chamila Gamage, after adding just six to his overnight 13.

Fellow left-hander Taufiq Umar, however, prospered in the company of skipper Faisal Iqbal. The pair shared a stand of 101 in almost 40 overs before Faisal was caught by Michael Vandort off pacer Sujeeva de Silva. His 133-ball innings was laced with four fours and one six.

Taufiq, who has so far faced 150 deliveries, struck eight boundaries.

Scoreboard SRI LANKA 'A' (1st Innings) 183 (D.A. Gunawardena 60; Danish Kaneria 5-42, Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan 4-49).

PAKISTAN 'A' (1st Innings, overnight 32-0):

Imran Farhat c Fernando b Gamage 19

Taufiq Umar not out 68

Faisal Iqbal c Vandort b de Silva 54

EXTRAS: (B-2, W-1, NB-5) 8

TOTAL: (for two wkts, 55.2 overs) 149

TO BAT: Hasan Raza, Asim Kamal, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan, Irfanuddin, Danish Kaneria, Umar Gul.

BOWLING (to-date): De Silva 13.2-1-37-1 (5nb); Mirando 10-4-22-0 (1w); Samaraweera 14-3-31-0; Lokuarachchi 6-1-36-0; Gamage 12-3-21-1.