PAK v SL, 1st Test, Day 3 - 5 Talking Points

With Pakistan trying to swim ashore against the waves, The Islanders are trying their best but their grip on the game is slipping away. After a brilliant batting display from Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella helped them pile a total in excess of 400, their bowlers managed to get just three wickets despite putting up a decent show.

Openers Shan Masood and Sami Aslam registered half-centuries and together, they added 114 for the first wicket. Both the youngsters showed a great amount of perseverance whilst tackling the adverse conditions for batting. This set a great platform for the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq to come in and build a decent partnership.

Runs didn’t come thick and fast, but Pakistani batsmen remained patient enough to collect every run patiently. They finished with 266 for the loss of 4 wickets. on day three and they currently trail the Lankans in the first innings by 153 runs. Two of their best batters, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam, will be taking charge on day 4 and their chances of winning the game are heavily reliant on this pair.

Here are five major talking points from day 3.

1. Half-centuries for both openers

Pakistan had to condense a big total and a good start was imperative. Shan Masood and Sami Aslam provided exactly what they needed by adding 114 runs for the first wicket. Both the players registered half-centuries and whilst they were batting, Sri Lanka looked down and out of the game. But unfortunately from the hosts’ point of view, they fell in quick succession and this let them down big time.

2. No batsmen scored at a strike rate >40

A decade ago, this wouldn’t have been a hell of an issue, but Pakistan going all out defensive has brought the game to level terms. No batsmen scored at a strike rate in excess of 40 and the best of the lot was 39.86 from Shan Masood. Sri Lanka approached the same way as well, but Dickwella’s innings helped them post a decent total and they need someone to score quick runs on day 4 to ensure they get a big first innings lead.

3. Gritty Azhar completes 5,000 Test runs

Azhar Ali played a splendid knock on day 3 and is racing towards his 15th Test match hundred. With the spinners going all guns blazing, batting wasn’t getting easier and Azhar stuck in brilliantly to stitch crucial stands with Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam. He also completed his 5,000 Test runs in the process, becoming only the 8th in Pakistan’s history to achieve the landmark. He also is the fourth fastest in their country’s history to reach 5,000 runs.

4. A twist in the tale in the last over of the day

Just when people were thinking Pakistan is on the verge of finishing the day well, Babar Azam got out due to a pure lapse of concentration. It wasn’t the greatest of deliveries from Nuwan Pradeep who bowled outside the leg-stump and instead of leaving the delivery, he audaciously tried to flick the ball and instead, got a fine knick into the keeper’s gloves. It was a much-needed break for the visitors who will feel way better than their opponents going into the break.

5. A frustrating day for the bowlers

What can be more frustrating than not getting the proper reward for your hard work? Well, nothing can beat that agony and the Lankan bowlers went through a lot of it today. They got lucky with Babar Azam’s wicket in the final over, but they deserved it. Spinners Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera did manage to get under the skin of the batters but failed to reap any benefits.