The first Test match of the two-match series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan went underway at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday (July 16). The Sri Lankan team ended the Day 1 of the opening Test on a positive note after some early setbacks in the morning session.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start and lost their opener Nishan Madushka early in the second over. Kusal Mendis followed soon after Madushka’s dismissal, departing in the seventh over with the team score at 22-2. Although Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne showed some resistance, he also fell quickly, adding to Islander’s early troubles at 53-3. Dinesh Chandimal‘s dismissal in the 16th over further deepened the hosts’ woes.
However, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the innings for Sri Lanka with a crucial partnership. Mathews played a solid knock, scoring 64 runs off 109 deliveries, while de Silva remained unbeaten on 94 runs from 157 balls. The partnership between the duo helped the hosts recover from the early setbacks. Sadeera Samarawickrama contributed with a handy 34 runs from 57 deliveries, but he couldn’t bat the day out as well and was dismissed just before the stumps of Day 1, making Sri Lanka’s score 241/6 in 65.4 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers put up a commendable effort to keep the Sri Lankan batters in check. Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 63 runs. Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed and Agha Salman also contributed with a wicket each.
With four wickets in hand and De Silva still on the crease, the hosts will look to build on the 241-run total when they resume their innings on Day 2. Meanwhile, Pakistan bowlers will aim to wrap things up quickly in the morning session itself.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
A compelling first day in Galle 🏏
Sri Lanka fought back after @iShaheenAfridi ran through the top-order. Pakistan end the day with an important wicket to leave the hosts 6️⃣ down ☄️#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/egnFTfSqke
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 16, 2023
– Congratulations @iShaheenAfridi on your 100 test wickets, just one of the many milestones to come…
Keep going strong !#Cricket #IamGAME #Pakistan— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) July 16, 2023
Dhananjaya de Silva 🇱🇰 scored half century in his 50th international match.
Dhananjaya de Silva 🇱🇰 scored half century in his 50th Test match.#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/S7H3UqD9h0
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) July 16, 2023
Dhananjaya de Silva remained unbeaten on 94: https://t.co/m6psJ7q6qn#SLvPAK #1stTest #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/USTU3j4Qop
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 16, 2023
Gutsy but Classy!
Dhananjaya De “” Silva#SLvsPAK #DDS pic.twitter.com/Qh7NOTZvuO— Indoosan (@Indooshan) July 16, 2023
100th Test wicket for Shaheen Afridi ❤️
Congratulations for completion of 100 test wickets..#PAKvsSL #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/r3bBtIBS25— Bobby 🇵🇰 (@RanaBilalEjaz1) July 16, 2023
Not a very great first day of the test. Way too many runs were leaked in the 2nd and third sessions after Pakistan dominated the first session by taking 4 wickets. Angelo Mathews & Dhananjaya de Silva are the men to give the credit to.
1/2
#PAKvSL— Abdullah Imran (@AbdulaImran) July 16, 2023
Again who wanted dhananjaya de silva to be removed?💀
— The Avenger 2.0 (@Mrirrelevant2_0) July 16, 2023
Day 1 belongs to Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews and Shaheen Afridi. Fantastic 131-run partnership between DDS and Mathews from 54/4. Also, Congratulations to Shaheen on 100 Test wickets. @Angelo69Mathews @dds75official @iShaheenAfridi #Cricket #SLvPAK
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) July 16, 2023
Dhananjaya De Silva looks to be a very organized and solid batsman. He will be a thorn in our side during this series. #BabarAzam
— Umar Khayyam (@utggondal) July 16, 2023
Dhananjaya de Silva is Current most Underrated Test Cricketer. He always Perfom whenever team is in Pressure Situation on Difficult Pitch. Still Remember his match Saving maiden Century against Indian Cricket Team. #SLvsPAK pic.twitter.com/Cyes0ELIir
— Ayush Ranjan (@AyushRaGenius) July 16, 2023
Dhananjaya de Silva. Dangerous for pakistan
— kashif Rajput (@AllahMercy01) July 16, 2023
#Twitter #reactions #Dhananjaya #Silvas #resilient #innings #rescues #Sri #Lanka #Shaheen #Afridis #early #blows #Day
