At Stumps of Day 1 of the Second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the visitors were seen adapting the methodology of Bazball. Pakistan scored 145 runs with the loss of 2 wickets after bundling out Sri Lanka at the inexpensive score of 166 runs. Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed, with the ball, and Abdullah Shafique, with the bat, put Pakistan in a very good spot.
Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry pitch in Colombo. Sri Lanka made two changes as debutant Dilshan Madhushanka replaced Vishwa Fernando, and Asitha Fernando replaced Kasun Rajitha. No changes were made by the visitors as Babar Azam was happy to go with the winning combination.
Top Performer of the Day
On the first day, Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah bowled brilliantly throughout his spell and took 3 wickets of Sri Lankan batsmen. Naseem made Angelo Mathews his first victim with an outside edge, ending the not-so-pleasing innings of Angelo Mathews.
In his next over of the second spell of the day, Naseem Shah picked up the important wicket of the host’s captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who went for a drive but got an inside edge, resulting in the ball uprooting the middle stump, putting Pakistan in a commanding position. Dinesh Chandimal, who was showing some resistance on the pitch, also headed towards the dressing room after being dismissed by Naseem Shah.
Abrar Ahmed also took 4 wickets in the first innings by dismissing Sri Lanka’s in-form all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva and 3 others. DD Silva, who was looking threatening and solid, couldn’t last long as he threw away his wicket at a fragile moment. Ahmed got another wicket by dismissing Sri Lanka’s wicketkeeper Sadeera Samarawickrama, who got a duck and couldn’t survive the delivery from Abrar Ahmed, getting out in the same manner as in the previous two innings.
DD Silva, who is the standout performer for the hosts, notched his 2nd consecutive fifty. In his innings of 57 runs, he scored 10 boundaries, including one six, in just 68 deliveries. However, in times of crisis, he couldn’t add more to the overall score of Sri Lanka.
The highlight of the day would be the innings of Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood, who displayed a great show of bazball, leaving no chance for the hosts to make a comeback. Pakistan played with a massive run rate of 6 while Shan and Abdullah were at the crease. Both batsmen scored their fifties, but unfortunately, Shan Masood couldn’t convert his fifty into a big score as he was trapped by the short ball of Asitha Fernando. Abdullah Shafique played a brilliant innings and remains not out on the score of 74.
Pakistan Enjoys a Clear Edge
It’s safe to say that Pakistan was on top on Day 1. They outshined the hosts in each and every department. From getting all the wickets of Sri Lanka within a day to being just 21 runs away from the deficit with 8 wickets in hand, Pakistan is marching towards a clean sweep in the series.
It would be injustice to the visitors not to mention the fielding of the Pakistan team. They have been tremendous in the field throughout this series. Pakistan started the day with a direct run-out hit of Nishan Madhushka from Shan Masood, a well-judged catch of Sadeera Samarawickrama by Abdullah Shafique on Forward short leg, and a brilliant catching effort at deep mid-wicket by Saud Shakeel to help Pakistan get rid of DD Silva. Shan Masood once again displayed excellent accuracy in his throw to dismiss Ramesh Mendis.
What to Expect on Day 2
Pakistan would be eyeing a big lead as they have a bright chance to bat only once in this match. They are just 21 runs away from gaining the lead and making things tougher for the hosts. Abdullah Shafique would be aiming for his 4th test ton, and with the intent he has displayed on Day 1, it seems like he’ll go for the big hundred this time.
Also, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam didn’t do much in the first match, but he has a perfect opportunity to play a big innings in Colombo as the stage is set for him. Most likely, Pakistan will build a substantial lead against the visitors, considering Pakistan’s strong middle order.
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne would be hoping for magical bowling from his spin bowling arsenal. He got Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, who has a fantastic record against Babar Azam, and a handy bowler in the form of DD Silva. The best Sri Lanka could do is to restrict Pakistan’s lead to under 200. Also, it is predicted to have showers in the morning of day 2, which could lead to a delayed start.
Also Read: SL v PAK: Brilliant Imam-Ul-Haq Steers Pakistan To Victory On Day 5