GALLE: Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a collective effort to dismiss Sri Lanka for 279 runs, leaving Pakistan with a target of 131 to win the ongoing Galle Test. Sri Lanka, starting their second innings at 210/6, managed to add 69 runs to their total before Pakistan’s bowlers broke through their lower order.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Ramesh Mendis, who had steadied Sri Lanka’s second innings, saw their partnership cut short shortly after the Tea break. Abrar Ahmed’s delivery trapped Mendis in front, bringing an end to their partnership. Mendis contributed with a determined 42 runs, which included three boundaries and a six.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam introduced Shaheen Shah Afridi into the attack after taking the new ball. Afridi responded by dismissing de Silva, who had been countering the attack with aggressive shots but fell to a caught-behind dismissal. De Silva top-scored for Sri Lanka with a resilient 82 off 118 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and two sixes.
Afridi struck again in his next over, deceiving Prabath Jayasuriya with a slower delivery. Sri Lanka eventually got bundled out when Abrar Ahmed dismissed Kasun Rajitha with a tempting delivery outside off.
Pakistan’s Bowling Against Sri Lanka
For Pakistan, Abrar and Noman Ali claimed three wickets each, while Agha and Afridi took two each. Sri Lanka were 210/6 at Tea, with de Silva standing firm with a gutsy half-century.
The enthralling session of the penultimate day witnessed the touring side making key breakthroughs, including the dismissal of opener Nishan Madushka, who had scored a brilliant half-century. Noman Ali’s catch behind accounted for Madushka’s wicket, as he departed after contributing 52 runs, including seven boundaries and a six.
Chandimal and de Silva attempted to stabilize Sri Lanka’s innings, but Salman Ali Agha broke their partnership by dismissing Chandimal for a gritty 28. Agha struck again, dismissing Sadeera Samarawickrama for 11 runs. Sri Lanka found themselves reeling at 175/6 with a meager lead of 26 runs, but de Silva found support from Ramesh Mendis.
The pair added 35 runs for the seventh wicket before the Tea break interrupted play. Sri Lanka resumed the day at 14/0 and lost their first wicket when Abrar Ahmed removed Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne for 20 runs. Madushka and Kusal Mendis then formed a partnership before Noman Ali dismissed Mendis lbw.
Noman Ali struck again, dismissing experienced Angelo Mathews with a stunning catch by Pakistan captain Babar Azam. Mathews could only manage seven runs before falling victim to Noman Ali’s spin. Madushka remained Sri Lanka’s mainstay in an eventful session, scoring an unbeaten 47 off 106 deliveries. Pakistan now requires 131 runs to secure victory in the Galle Test, setting up an exciting final day of play.
