De Silva, Mathews fifties help Sri Lanka go on top after day 1 in Galle test
De Silva's unbeaten 94* helped Sri Lanka make a comeback after being reduced to 54-4.
Shahriar KabirEditor
Posted - 2023-07-16T19:25:38+06:00
Updated - 2023-07-16T19:25:38+06:00
Dhananjaya De Silva's fighting 94 and Angelo Mathews' 64 depicted a great comeback for Sri Lanka from 54-4. The match is in equilibrium after day 1 and both the teams had their nice time.
Winning the toss Sri Lanka opted to bat first on a batting paradise. But Shaheen Shah Afridi's immaculate control of ball, line and lengths asked quite a few questions to the Sri Lankan batters what they were unable to answer. First, Shaheen sent Nishan Madhushka back to the pavilion for 4 off 9. A same delivery to Kusal Mendis he too was unable to defend and saw himself in the hands of Agha Salman. Naseem Shah got experienced campaigner Dinesh Chandimal for 1 only. On the other hand, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was fluent and was all set for a big innings but Shaheen Shah Afridi strangled down leg and got him for 29 off 43 balls.
And then experienced campaigner Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya De Silva stitched a fantastic partnership and gave no chance to Pakistani bowlers. They kept the scorecard going and kept scoring runs. They cashed on loose deliveries and added 131 runs at 5th wicket partnership. But Abrar Ahmed gave Pakistan the crucial breakthrough as he picked up the wicket of former one, Mathews who made 64 off 109 deliveries.
After the departure of Mathews, De Silva and Samarawickrama took the rein as the duo added 57 runs before Agha Salman got the wicket of Samarawickrama for a breezy 36 off 57 deliveries. And then umpires called stumps.
Dhananjaya De Silva is still on the crease and Sri Lanka will be hoping him to long his innings as far as he can to post a massive total on the board. On the other hand, Pakistan will be eyeing to wrap things up within first session to get the edge.