After the second day of the Karachi Test, the match was evenly poised. Sri Lanka had managed to bowl Pakistan out for 191 and garnered an 80-run lead. But Shan Masood and Abid Ali put on an unbeaten 57-run stand to end the day with the hosts trailing by 23 runs. On the third day, Azhar Ali and Co tightened their grip on the game and are leading by 315 runs with eight wickets remaining.

Masood and Abid march on

Pakistan needed Masood and Abid to carry on with their good work on the third day. Both openers put their heads down and took the home team to lunch with the score at 175 for no loss. Abid was at the threshold of his second Test ton at the end of the first session. He took 137 balls to accomplish the milestone. Soon after Masood followed suit and scored his century off 148 balls.

Just when it seemed that Abid and Masood would play out the second session, unscathed, Lahiru Kumara struck first blood. The speedster nipped out Masood, who ended with 135 off 198 with the help of seven fours and three hits into the stands. Despite the late wicket, Pakistan ended the session with the upper hand. The hosts had managed 282 runs, leading by a significant 202 runs.

Azhar gets his form back

Pakistan managed 113 runs off 35 overs in the final session. After Masood’s dismissal, skipper Azhar joined Abid in the middle. They carried on the good work and put on another useful stand of 77 runs. Azhar didn’t have the greatest of series in Australia and he made amends, remaining unbeaten on 57 with four fours. On the other hand, Abid carried on his own merry way, milking the Lankan bowling.

However, in the 91st over, Kumara pinned him in front. The batsman went for a review, but replays legitimized the on-field umpire’s call. Abid racked up 174 runs off 281 balls with 21 fours and a six. Azhar and Babar Azam (22*) played out the remaining 14 overs on the day and ensured that Pakistan don’t suffer any more hiccup. Lanka needs early wickets on day four to make a comeback.

Here is how Twitter reacted on the day’s play

1️⃣7️⃣4️⃣ runs
2️⃣8️⃣1️⃣ balls
2️⃣1️⃣ fours
1️⃣ six

Abid Ali, take a bow 🙌#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/3DM5v5Ni6v

— ICC (@ICC) December 21, 2019

What a start to Abid Ali’s career. First Pakistan batsman to score 100 in each of the first two Tests and just 9th in the world. Currently averaging 284.00!!! #PakvSL

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 21, 2019

Great fight back Pakistan !!! #pakvSL

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) December 21, 2019

"I expect more from myself in the future" : Shan Masoodhttps://t.co/s5bGcsFIgI#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/0oL9N77vXm

— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) December 21, 2019

Shan Masood loses his wicket just 5 minutes before the tea, Pakistan 278/1, misses country's record opening partnership by 20 runs. 278 is Pakistan's second highest opening partnership in Tests. #PAKvSL

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) December 21, 2019

321 – Runs by Abid Ali in his first two test matches, MOST by any Asian batsman.

Most Runs after first two test matches of career

355 Tip Foster (ENG)
350 Phillip Hughes (AUS)
337 Lawrence Rowe (WI)
321 ABID ALI* (PAK)
316 Yasir Hameed (PAK)
315 Sourav Ganguly (IND)#PAKvSL

— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) December 21, 2019

Abid Ali has now become the first Pakistan batsman to score a hundred in each of his first two Tests. #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/pRzFfPLhnE

— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) December 21, 2019

A dream start for Abid Ali in Test cricket. #Abidali #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/2epeduzKC7

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 21, 2019

Performance of Abid Ali in his debut test series:

109*(201)
38(66)
174(281)#PAKvSL

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) December 21, 2019

Pakistan lead by 300 runs.#PAKvSL LIVE: https://t.co/jFigEwJ4Bs + @TheRealPCB_Live pic.twitter.com/4vSAuqskKY

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 21, 2019