Azhar Ali once more rescued Pakistan's batting with a fighting half century on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The one-drop batsman was unbeaten on 74 but saw Babar Azam fell for 28 in the last over of the day as Pakistan finished on 266-4 on a Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch which has started to assist spinners. Pakistan still trail the Sri Lankan first innings total of 419 by 153 runs with six wickets intact. Pakistan had pinned their hopes on Ali in the post Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq era who retired in May this year after shouldering team's batting for nearly seven years. A cautious Ali made sure Pakistan do not concede a big lead in the first innings, having hit only one boundary in his 26th Test half century.

Pakistan's Azhar Ali (R) plays a shot during the third day of the first Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 30, 2017. Pic/AFP