Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 2 - 5 Talking Points

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal’s breathtaking century helped Sri Lanka post a more than decent total in the first innings against Pakistan. Sri Lanka struggled a lot on the first day initially, but with Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne establishing a brilliant partnership, they managed to end the day on a good note.

Niroshan Dickwella managed to amass some quick runs against the run of play and this helped them go past the 400 mark. Chandimal was a mere spectator whilst he was doing his business and once Dickwella was dismissed for a well made 83 off 117 balls, Chandimal took the onus on himself and remained not out till the end. The visitors posted 419 in the first innings and on a track which is offering good turn, things won’t be easy for the hosts as well.

Having said that, Shan Masood and Sami Aslam helped their side get a good start. Pakistan finished at 64 without losing any wicket at stumps on day 2. Things won’t be easy for them on day 3 when the cracks will begin to open up a little more and it’d be fair to say that the Islanders are in command currently.

Here are the five major talking points of day 2.

1. Skipper leading from the front

Talk about brilliant knocks of the year, this one from the willow of Dinesh Chandimal should rank right up there amongst the best. Dinesh Chandimal remained not out on 155 off 372 balls and he was an integral part of two hundred runs stands with Karunaratne and Dickwella, to go with a 92-run stand with Dilruwan Perera. He never allowed the bowlers to get under his skin and the amount of resilience he showed was simply outstanding.

2. A strong start by Pakistan

Shan Masoon and Sami Aslam registered an unbeaten 64-run first wicket stand and they looked fairly comfortable facing the Lankan bowlers. If the spinners fail to create any impact on the game, Pakistan will be right back in it and Sri Lanka might miss out on a golden opportunity to register a victory away from home after quite a long time.

3. Dickwella – The game changer

Chandimal’s effort was spectacular, but it was Niroshan Dickwella who changed the momentum of the game with a mind-boggling innings. Before he came out to bat, the scoring rate was well under 2.5 an over, but he managed to escalate that to over three for some time. If it had not been for his 83 off 117 balls, Sri Lanka would’ve struggled to get even 300-350 on board.

4. No resistance from the Lankan tail

Sri Lanka did manage a big score on the board but it could’ve been a lot bigger given the tail had supported Chandimal well. Pakistani bowlers wasted no time in picking the final few wickets and Chandimal remained a mere spectator at the other end. They lost their final 5 wickets in a span of 32 runs and Mohammad Abbas picked up the final 3 wickets in a span of 13 deliveries to ensure his side had the momentum going into the second innings.

5. Sri Lanka miss out on a golden chance to take full control

Sri Lanka had over 23 overs to bowl in the day and given they had managed to pick up a wicket or two, it could’ve been a brilliant finish to a spectacular day. But that didn’t happen as the bowlers failed to compliment the batsmen and the openers foundit relatively easy to score runs. The game still hangs in balance with Sri Lanka having a 55-45 advantage, but considering a fact that the visitors had played 150 overs, a draw seems the most probable result for the first Test.