GALLE: In a display of resilience and skill, Pakistan resumed their innings on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka following a temporary delay caused by overnight rain.
The duo of Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha emerged as the leading forces in Pakistan’s campaign, aiding the team in recovering from early losses on the second day of the match.
On Monday, Pakistan showcased their positive intent as they fought back from a precarious position of 101 for five to reach 221 for five before bad light and light showers led to an early closure of play. This impressive recovery not only brought Pakistan closer to Sri Lanka’s first innings score of 312, with a deficit of 91 runs, but it also forced the Sri Lankans to adopt a defensive approach due to the dominant partnership between Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha.
Saud Shakeel, in his first Test appearance outside of Pakistan, displayed his mastery with the bat as he compiled a well-crafted 69 runs. His consistent performances in recent matches against England and New Zealand, where he scored 37, 76, 63, 94, 23, 53, 22, 55 not out, 125 not out, and 32, have solidified his place in the team. Salman Ali Agha, who made his Test debut a year ago in Galle, silenced his critics once again with an equally impressive unbeaten score of 61.
The duo punished the Sri Lankan bowlers with their exceptional stroke selection, finding gaps in the field with precision. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who troubled Pakistan’s batsmen last year, emerged as the most successful bowler, claiming three wickets but conceding 83 runs at an economy rate of over five runs per over.
Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis dismissed a confident-looking Shan Masood for 39 but finished the day with an economy rate of 4.84. Fast bowler Vishwa Fernando, who nearly dismissed Abdullah Shafique on the first ball of the innings with a swinging yorker, remained wicketless and conceded 34 runs in his five overs.
Saud Shakeel faced 88 balls, striking six boundaries, while Salman Ali Agha‘s knock of 84 balls included six fours and a six.
Pakistan’s uncomfortable start
Pakistan faced an uncomfortable start as Imam Ul Haq fell victim to a rash shot and was caught in the gully. Abdullah Shafique departed soon after, falling to Jayasuriya’s delivery. Pakistan was further reduced to 67 for three when technology confirmed Shan Masood’s dismissal after the on-field umpire had initially ruled in his favor. Shan exhibited his form with a quickfire 39 off 30 balls, featuring five fours and a six.
Pakistan suffered another setback when Babar Azam (13) was caught off an inside edge from Jayasuriya, followed by Sarfaraz Ahmed (17) being adjudged leg before wicket while attempting a sweep. At 101 for five in just 20.2 overs, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha joined forces to repair the damage and keep Pakistan’s hopes alive in the Galle Test.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka’s tailenders contributed 70 runs to their overnight score of 242 for six, reaching a total of 312 all out in 95.2 overs. Dhananjaya de Silva, starting the day at 94, continued his impressive performance to score 122, his third century against Pakistan. Fast bowler Naseem Shah claimed two crucial wickets on the day, finishing with figures of 3 for 90. De Silva’s innings lasted nearly five hours, during which he struck 12 fours and three sixes. The ninth wicket fell at 283 before Vishwa Fernando (21 not out) and Kasun Rajitha added 29 runs for the last wicket.
The second day began with Abrar Ahmed dismissing Ramesh Mendis (5), his second wicket of the innings, while Naseem Shah accounted for Prabath Jayasuriya (4), limiting Sri Lanka to 282 for eight. Abrar completed his three-wicket haul by dismissing the last man, Rajitha (8).
Pakistan’s impressive fightback has set the stage for an intriguing continuation of the match as they aim to overcome the deficit and establish a commanding position against Sri Lanka.
