Bilawal puts Pakistan on top

Debutant fast bowler Bilawal Bhatti dismissed experienced duo Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in consecutive deliveries as Pakistan strengthened their hold on the first test against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Left-arm paceman Junaid Khan also picked up opener Kaushal Silva for 81, caught behind, with the last delivery of the third day to reduce Sri Lanka to 186 for four in their second innings, a lead of seven runs.

Dimuth Karunaratne (24) put on 47 runs for the opening wicket with Silva before he was bowled by Junaid.

Silva and Sangakkara (55) then put on 99 for the second to get SL close to wiping out the first innings deficit of 179. Bhatti extracted lively pace and bounce off the wicket and got Sangakkara to edge a catch to Younis Khan at first slip on the last delivery of his over.

Pace duo Shaminda Eranga (3/80) and Suranga Lakmal (2/99) had led Sri Lanka's fightback in the morning as Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 54 to be all out for 383.