Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah grabbed the key wicket of Dinesh Chandimal to leave Sri Lanka fighting to avoid defeat after the fourth day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The prolific wicket-taker took 2-25 as Sri Lanka struggled to 69-4, needing a rearguard action to save the Test. Pakistan will be expecting to push for victory in the opening match of a two-Test series on the fifth and final day. It was tough to negotiate spin on a fourth-day Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch, but despite a 32nd Test five-wicket haul for veteran Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, Pakistan posted 422 to take a slender three-run lead. Sri Lanka had made 419 in their first innings.

Yasir Shah (R) of Pakistan plays a shot during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on October 1, 2017. Pic/AFP