Pakistan Dominates Day 1 of Second Test Against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam & Abdullah Shafique Shine
Pakistan took full control of the second Test match against Sri Lanka on the opening day at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Ending the day with a score of 145/2 in 28.3 overs, Pakistan’s batsmen displayed remarkable prowess, led by Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique who remained unbeaten with scores of 8*(21) and 74*(99) respectively.
After limiting Sri Lanka to a score of 166 runs, Pakistan’s batters faced little difficulty as they sought to establish a commanding lead over the hosts. Sri Lanka’s hopes for an early breakthrough came true when Asitha Fernando dismissed Imam-ul-Haq in the second over of the day. However, Imam’s decision to challenge the umpire’s call resulted in a wasted review.
Shan Masood then partnered with Abdullah Shafique to prevent Sri Lanka from mounting a comeback. The duo forged a solid partnership of 108 runs before Fernando struck again, dismissing Masood shortly after he completed his half-century. Captain Babar Azam stepped in to see off the remaining overs of the day along with Shafique.
Shafique faced a moment of uncertainty when he was given out following an LBW appeal. Opting for a review, the Decision Review System showed that the ball would have missed the stumps, rescuing Shafique from dismissal.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka struggled against Pakistan’s formidable bowling lineup. Unlike the previous Test match, Sri Lanka’s batters failed to put up a fight. Openers Nishan Madushka and Dimuth Karunaratne failed to provide a solid start, with Karunaratne’s decision to take a risky single leading to Madushka’s run-out.
The next hour was disastrous for the home team as they found themselves reduced to 36/4. Naseem Shah made an early impact with the new ball, claiming key wickets. Dhananjaya and Chandimal then stabilized Sri Lanka’s innings with an 85-run partnership.
However, Naseem returned to remove Chandimal, halting Sri Lanka’s revival. The rest of the Sri Lankan batters struggled with the bat, unable to make a significant contribution.
While Naseem Shah was impressive with the new ball, it was Abrar Ahmed who stole the limelight later in the day, taking a four-wicket haul.
In summary, Pakistan dominated the first day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka, both with the ball and the bat. Their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to a meager score, while their batsmen, led by Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique, guided them to a strong position. The second day promises further excitement as Pakistan aims to establish a substantial lead over the home team.
