2nd Test Played at SSC, Colombo from July 24-28,2023.
Brief Score Card at Stumps Day one.
Sri Lanka 1st Innings 166 All Out in 48.4 Overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 57, Dinesh Chandimal 34, Ramesh Mendis 27, Abrar Ahmed 4/69, Naseem Shah 3/41 ,Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/44)
Pakistan 145/2 in 28.3 Overs (Abdullah Shafique 74* , Shan Masood 51 , Babar Azam 8* , Asitha Fernando 2/41 )
Pakistan trailed by 21 runs at stumps with 8 first innings wickets at hand.
Well primed Pakistan took complete control of the second and the final test of the two matches series of the ICC Test Championship series on the rain interfering day one.
At stumps Pakistan raced to 145/2 in only 28.3 overs responding to a paltry 166 all out that home team produced. The wicket had no demons excepting early morning moisture. It was brilliant aggressive bowling and smart fielding by Pakistan and some reckless batting that caused the host to be pushed to the tight corner. Having won the first test at Galle Pakistan looks set for another win and earning series whitewash. Day two is usually the best day for batting on SLC wicket. If Pakistan gets up to 200 plus lead it will be huge challenge for the host surviving against Pakistan quality attack on wearing wicket on day three and four.
Sri Lanka did not apply themselves and few played ordinary strokes though Naseem Shah and Abrar bowled exceeding well and Pakistani fielders were sharp and agile in the field. Winning the toss and electing to bat Sri Lanka was put paid very early as Maduska was brilliantly run out by Shan Masood . Kushal Mendis also did little falling to Shaheen Afridi in the point. Naseem Shah bowling at pace and bowling at right length hassled Lankans. His two quick wickets of Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne badly hurt the hots. They were 4/36 by the 15th over. Pakistani bowlers started breathing fire. The lone warrior of the first test Dhananjaya de Silva (57) and Dinesh Chandimal were looking good. The pair playing well added 85 precious runs before Pakistan in their Plan B made both fall to the trap. By 122 both fell to Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed. The home side could not recover from there against very hostile and aggressive Naseem and willy Abrar. Naseem took 3/41 and rookie Abrar grabbed 4/69. It was a great bowling and fielding display of new look Pakistan team. When a team gets all out for 166 in 48.4 in the first day of a test they must struggle only to survive. Pakistan lost Imamul Haq early. But Abdullah Shafique (74*) and Shan Masood ( 51) playing aggressive brand of cricket dominated Lankan attack . Their 108 runs 2nd wicket Partnership in 18.2 overs did not let home teams bowlers settle at all. Luckily Asitha Fernando could remove flamboyant Shan Masood for 51. But Abdullah Shafique (74 *) and Babar Azam (8*) were there together as Pakistan was looking set for a huge score at 145/2 when bad light stopped play . Hosts were given some breathing space. Sri Lanka must bowl and field exceedingly well to restrict Pakistan before they bat them out of the match. The wicket is gripping and turning. Odd balls are jumping up or going down. Batting from day three and onwards will be tricky.
One can only admire how Pakistan executed their plans on day one in all three departments of the game.They looked far more superior side of the two. On the other hand host Sri Lanka disappointed.
BDST: 0725 HRS, JULY 25, 2023
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