PAK vs SL, 1st Test, Day 1, Review: Dinesh Chandimal keeps honours even on an intriguing day

Pakistan and Sri Lanka locked horns in first of the two-match Test series at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The battle between the Asian giants resumed with one side finding their feet after the drubbing at the hands of India and the other starting a new era under their new Sarfraz Ahmed.

The hosts are playing their first Test match in the absence of both Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan since 2010. However, the first day of the match saw some intriguing cricket as both teams kept themselves at bay by waiting for things to happen. Though, Sri Lanka would be happier given the fact that they had lost 3 wickets in the first session and finished on 227/4 at the close of play.

The visiting skipper Dinesh Chandimal had no hesitation while opting to bat after calling it correctly at the toss. Rangana Herath, the most experienced campaigner for the island nation, returned to the side after missing the final Test against India at home. Pakistan handed a debut to Haris Sohail in the quest to find a replacement for Misbah in the middle order.

Pakistan owns the first session

Sri Lanka opened with Kaushal Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne as Upul Tharanga, the regular opener decided to opt out of the longest format for six months. Though their struggles at the top continued as Silva and Thirimanne were sent back to the hut in the first hour. Hasan Ali castled the former whereas Yasir Shah pinned the latter for a seven-ball duck in front of the stumps. Soon Kusal Mendis was caught behind on 10 off Yasir to leave the visitors reeling at 61/3 at the stroke of lunch. The leggie in the process became the second quickest ever to 150 wickets in Test cricket. He achieved the feat in his 27th Test match and is looking good for more in the series.

Chandimal and Karunaratne consolidate

Karunaratne and the skipper got together in the post-lunch session and played cautiously as the consolidation period began. They played out the tough period as the runs came slowly and denied the wicket to the hosts in the second session. In the process the opener brought up his half-century and just when he was looking good for a magnificent ton, he was run-out. In a horrible mix-up with his skipper, Karunaratne was dismissed once again in the 90s and missed his well-deserved hundred by just 7 runs. They added 100 runs for the fourth wicket as Pakistan looked to get on top once again.

Lankan skipper keeps hosts at bay

Despite the distraction in the middle, the skipper Chandimal continued to play cautiously with immense concentration. He brought up his half-century and looked a little bit rusty but he made sure he was there in the middle until the end of play. He also survived a close lbw shout and was saved by Decision Review System (DRS). Chandimal was well supported by the aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella who was the only positive during the horror India series. While the former remained unbeaten on 60 off 184 deliveries, the latter played with a little more aggression scoring 42 off 63 balls.

However, Pakistan bowlers were penetrative right through as Yasir Shah led the attack with two wickets in massive 34 overs. They bowled as many as 16 maidens and tested the patience of the visitors’ batsmen. The attritional battle will continue on day 2 as one good session would tilt the game either side. Moreover, Pakistan will have to strike soon as they will bat 4 on a pitch which is already turning a little bit.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka: 227/4 in 90 overs (D Chandimal 60* (184), D Karunaratne 93 (205)); (Yasir Shah 2/59, Hasan Ali 1/58)