1st Test, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Day 2 preview: Test cricket returns to Pakistan, but Sri Lanka make it an even day

Test cricket returned to Pakistan on Wednesday, December 11, and it was quite a day for the throngs that flowed into the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. As far as the cricket was concerned, it was a fairly even day, till bad light closed things out, but the day was about more than cricket.

The atmosphere was one of a carnival. But Sri Lanka did their best to poop the party, with Dimuth Karunaratane and Oshada Fernando putting on a solid stand up top, and despite a middle order collapse, Sri Lanka ended the day at 202/5.

Karunaratne and Fernando added 96 runs for the opening wicket, having taken Sri Lanka through the opening session without losing a wicket. But on resumption, they found the Pakistan pacers had recalibrated their plans. Shaheen Shah Afridi started things off, trapping Karunaratne in front of stumps for 59.

Naseem Shah, the 16-year-old, then got his own, seeing off Fernando for 40. Kusal Mendis was restricted to 10 before Usman Shinwari got into the act, and Sri Lanka’s troubles were sealed when Dinesh Chandimal was dismissed for 2, with Mohammad Abbas sending in an absolute corker.

However, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva then managed to fight back for Sri Lanka, putting on 62 for the fifth wicket, and ensuring no further damager was done before tea. After they, they kept adding to the runs, but when they had taken the total to 189, Naseem came back to snare the breakthrough.

Unfortunately for Pakistan, they couldn’t build on the opening, with bad light soon stopping play. However, their pacers will be raring to have another go at Sri Lanka on the second morning. They have now found their rhythms, and it’ll be interesting to see how Sri Lanka cope.

Key players

Naseem Shah (Pakistan): The youngster has got another international wicket for himself, and having bowled with verve on the opening day, he will be a handful come the second morning. Sri Lanka will need to watch out.

Dhananjaya de Silva (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka have the right man in the middle for such a scenario. He is a gritty player when he needs to be, but has quite a bit of flair and can revive the innings. Sri Lanka will hope he can do that.

Brief scores

Sri Lanka 202/5 (Dimuth Karunaratne 59, Oshada Fernando 40; Naseem Shah 2/51) vs Pakistan

Prediction

Pakistan to restrict Sri Lanka to 300 and thereabouts.