Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is ecstatic after picking his first fifer in Test cricket on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Karachi.

Shaheen was the star bowler for Pakistan as he bagged a five-wicket haul in 26.5 overs, giving away 77 runs.

“I had already bagged two four-wicket hauls before, so I am really happy after picking my first fifer in Test cricket,” said Shaheen. “I bowled at the right areas according to our plan and got the reward. Mohammad Abbas bowled well from the other end which helped as well. A bowling partnership is as important as a batting partnership in Tests.”

“After recovering from dengue, my bowling has benefited from improved fitness and working with the bowling coach Waqar Younis,” he added.

Shaheen believes that Pakistan batsmen have learned from the first innings and are looking to post a competitive total.

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Meanwhile, Sri Lanka batsman Dinesh Chandimal credited Sri Lanka’s Consultant Head Coach Mickey Arthur for helping him in tackling Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

“Mickey helped us in countering Yasir Shah,” said Chandimal. “We know how good Yasir Shah is. He bowled in good areas but was unlucky to not pick wickets. We can’t underestimate him. He is a world class bowler.”

Chandimal added that they will be looking for early breakthroughs in the first session on day three.

 “We will try picking early wickets tomorrow morning,” he said. ‘‘It is tough batting out there now. We are going to bat in the fourth inning, so if we can bowl Pakistan out below 250, than that can be winning total.”