SL vs PAK, 2nd Test: The openers set up on 92, Dinesh Chandimal made 80, and Niroshan Dickwella went to stumps on 42 not out, as Sri Lanka stepped to 315 for 6 for the day. On a flat Galle surface that will require a few days to appropriately wear, this was neither a commanding total, nor a humble one.

While spinners found turn, it wasn’t the fast variety that caused breakdowns. The quicks discovered some movement off the surface, however just while the crease was hard. It was a batting-friendly day. What’s more, regardless, Sri Lanka might be kicking themselves for losing one wicket too much.

Of Pakistan’s bowlers, Mohammad Nawaz appeared to be the likeliest to take wickets, regardless of him being somewhat wayward at times. Nauman Ali, the other left-arm spinner, was more reliable, and took the wicket of Angelo Mathews, who was playing his 100th Test. In any case, Pakistan’s bowlers didn’t have a great deal to work with – the mood killer, the pitch still generally sluggish,even if the occasional ball erected off the pitch.

Sri Lanka might reflect they were lamentable to lose two wickets to such deliveries.

The balls that got Oshada Fernando (from Nawaz), and Mathews (from Nauman), turned and bobbed more than most deliveries had during either batter’s visit. Then there was the excusal of Kusal Mendis, which came from one of those run outs where the bowler really does well to get a hand to a straight drive and the non-striker doesn’t get their bat down fast enough. Kusal had just confronted 10 balls, and was out by only a couple of frames.

It was Chandimal, the form batter in the Sri Lanka side, who pushed Sri Lanka forward better compared to any other person, notwithstanding. Two of his initial three limits were smudgy – an inside edge past the stumps off Yasir Shah, and an outside edge past slip against Naseem. 

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He got to fifty off the 99th ball he confronted, and hit a couple of sixes off Yasir Shah soon after- one over deep square leg when Yasir sent him a long jump, and the other over wide lengthy on, when he got down on one knee to clatter Yasir.

While Sri Lanka didn’t put on a century stand, they had three that outperformed 50, and one in particular that was worth under 24. Dickwella’s bustling 42 not out off 43, in which he hit five boundaries and a six, maybe edged the day for the hosts, however there’s a lot of work to be finished by the lower request.

At stumps, Sri Lanka were longing for a total score of more than 400. Pakistan one south of 350.

Stumps on Day 1, Pakistan 24/2.#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/VtW351ri5X

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 16, 2022