1st Test, Galle, July 16, 2023, 10:00 AM
Sri Lanka
312/10(95.2ov) & 279/10(83.1ov)
Pakistan
461/10(121.2ov) & 133/6(32.5ov)
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets
Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. These two sides will meet again on 24th July for the second and the final Test match of the series. The first ball will be at 10 am IST (4.30 am GMT). But as you all know you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!
Babar Azam, the skipper of Pakistan is in for a quick word as well. He says that when you win it gives you a lot of confidence. Credits the team especially the youngsters. Adds that they lost early wickets but the partnership between Agha and Shakeel completely changed the game. Mentions that Agha showed his skills with both bat and ball while Shakeel was outstanding. Ends by saying as a skipper, he is very happy and impressed with the performance.
Dimuth Karunaratne, the captain of Sri Lanka is in for a chat. He says that they needed to see off that opening spell but lost early wickets and that hurt them a lot. Says that they bowled well in patches, but started leaking runs. Informs that their bowlers have done really well but need to step their game up as a fielding unit. States that he really enjoyed the way Dhananjaya de Silva batted and hopes the other batters could learn from this knock as well.
Saud Shakeel wins the Player of the Match award for his exceptional double-century. He thanks almighty for giving him this opportunity to score a double hundred. He says that the plan was simple and he was looking to build up a partnership at that moment. Adds that he wanted to be positive and play his sweeps and reverse-sweeps to not let the bowlers get control. Mentions that he is from Karachi so he has come across a lot of spinners but he likes to face the fast bowlers as well and he has worked hard to better his skills.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
It was a much better outing for Sri Lanka with the bat on the second go. One could say that it was a much more collective effort than the first one, where only two players stood out. Although, this time there was not a single player who could get into the three-digit score, but they did manage to extend their lead to over 100-runs which did not prove to be too much for Pakistan to chase down.
For Sri Lanka, it was Prabath Jayasuriya who picked three quick wickets early but they just couldn't build on that and lacked the sharpness in the filed as well dropping a few chances. However, once again it was their inability to get through the tail-enders cost them. Ramesh Mendis did pick up a five-wicket haul while Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha chipped in with one each, but the damage was already done by then.
In reply, Pakistan managed to get 461 runs, but were in early trouble as their top order didn't contribute much except for Shan Masood. However, it was the huge 177-run stand between Agha Salman and Saud Shakeel that took them out of a difficult situation as they were struggling at 101-5 at one point. The former missed out on his century but Shakeel was solid as ever and registered a magnificent maiden double hundred. Their lower order contributed well to as they ended up with a lead of 149 runs.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Although, it was not really a solid outing for them with the blade. It was Dhananjaya de Silva's ton and Angelo Mathews' half-century that helped the hosts to post a decent total on the board. For Pakistan it was a complete team performance. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed took three wickets each and did most of the damage in the first inning.
All that Sri Lanka required coming into Day 5, was some luck and inspiration. Well, they found an inspiration in Prabath Jayasuriya, although the rub of the green wasn't really on their side. Prabath Jayasuriya picked up four wickets in total, but apart from him it was only Ramesh Mendis who got into the wicket's column. There was not mcuh to fight for, on the morning of Day 5, but Sri Lanka did give their best when they were out on the field.
Pakistan needed only 83 runs to get over the line at the start of Day 5, and they surely did not waste any time this morning. We all thought that the ball would do most of the talking on the final day, but the Pakistan batters came prepared, used their feet a lot so that they can deal with the deadly spin. Eventually, it was just a walk in the park for the visitors. Imam-ul-Haq made his half-century, with some ease and helped his side get over the line. Saud Shakeel's cameo really helped them to end things quickly here.
Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in this two Test series down in Sri Lanka. They came, they saw and they conquered. A well-fought victory by the visiting side under tough coditions. Staffs and players are exchanging hugs in the Pakistan dressing room.
In over# 33
6
0W
0
0
0
Prabath Jayasuriya 56/4(14.5)
32.5
6
SIX! BANG! Agha Salman seals the game for the visitors. It is tossed up, full and on off. Agha Salman gets under it and smokes it over the bolwer's head for a maximum.
Agha Salman comes out to the middle now.
32.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Prabath Jayasuriya picks his fourth wicket. He has certainly made the most of the bowling conditions here. It is tossed up, on off. Sarfaraz Ahmed goes for the sweep shot to find the boundary, but only manages to find the fielder in the deep, as he miscues his slog sweep. Kusal Mendis takes a sharp catch diving forward.
32.3
.
Around off, on a fuller length. Ahmed blocks it out.
32.2
.
On off, driven back to the bowler.
32.1
.
Fuller, on middle and leg. Ahmed goes for the sweep, but the short leg does well to make a sharp stop.