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Summary
A superb unbeaten century from debutant opener Fawad Alam helped Pakistan in their recovery on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Pakistan had started the day staring down the barrel, but Umar Gul gave their fightback impetus with a three-wicket haul in the morning session. Ably assisted by off spinner Saeed Ajmal, Gul helped restrict Sri Lankas first innings lead to just 150 as they were bowled out for 240. Alam and opening partner Khurram Manzoor then gave the visitors a sound start to their second innings with an 85-run stand for the first wicket Pakistans best opening partnership of the series so far. At close, Pakistan had battled to 178 for one, an overall lead of 28 with Younus Khan batting on 35 and Alam on 102. Alam was joined by Younus and the two erased the deficit even as the 23-year-old Alam closed in on a century. He became Pakistans first batsman to score a century on debut away from home, getting to the mark with a six off Herath, clubbed through midwicket, and a couple of runs through third man off the very next delivery.
