1st Test: Spinners set up 131-run chase for Pakistan against Sri Lanka | Cricket News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s spinners Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed played crucial roles by taking three wickets each, leading to Sri Lanka being bowled out for 279 runs in the rain-affected opening Test match in Galle, Sri Lanka.
As a result, Pakistan was left with a target of 131 runs to win the Test match.
Dhananjaya de Silva, who had scored a century in Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 312 runs, top-scored with 82 runs before the Pakistan bowlers joined forces to dismiss the Sri Lankan team in the final session of the fourth day.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, along with spinners Abrar Ahmed and Agha Salman, who took two wickets, consistently troubled the Sri Lankan batters. Additionally, pace bowler Shaheen Afridi contributed by cleaning up the tail.
De Silva formed crucial partnerships during his innings, including a 76-run partnership with Ramesh Mendis, who scored 42 runs.
However, Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed de Silva with a rising delivery after Pakistan took the second new ball. Shaheen claimed his second wicket, while Abrar ended the Sri Lankan innings.
Earlier, Agha Salman broke a 60-run partnership by dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for 28 runs and later dismissed wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama for 11 runs. However, de Silva remained firm and fought valiantly.
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As a result, Pakistan was left with a target of 131 runs to win the Test match.
Dhananjaya de Silva, who had scored a century in Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 312 runs, top-scored with 82 runs before the Pakistan bowlers joined forces to dismiss the Sri Lankan team in the final session of the fourth day.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, along with spinners Abrar Ahmed and Agha Salman, who took two wickets, consistently troubled the Sri Lankan batters. Additionally, pace bowler Shaheen Afridi contributed by cleaning up the tail.
De Silva formed crucial partnerships during his innings, including a 76-run partnership with Ramesh Mendis, who scored 42 runs.
However, Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed de Silva with a rising delivery after Pakistan took the second new ball. Shaheen claimed his second wicket, while Abrar ended the Sri Lankan innings.
Earlier, Agha Salman broke a 60-run partnership by dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for 28 runs and later dismissed wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama for 11 runs. However, de Silva remained firm and fought valiantly.
Abrar made the initial breakthrough by dismissing Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne for 20 runs, which halted Sri Lanka’s brisk start.
Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel has been the standout performer so far in the Test match, scoring an unbeaten double century (208 runs) in the first innings, his maiden Test double century.
His marathon innings helped Pakistan secure a significant first-innings lead of 149 runs as they were bowled out for 461 runs on the third day.
With the match now set for an intriguing final day, Pakistan will aim to chase down the target and secure a victory, while Sri Lanka will seek to defend their total and secure a draw.
(With AFP inputs)
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