Galle Test, SL vs PAK: Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman lead Pakistan fightback after Sri Lanka 312 on Day 2

Pakistan came up with a gritty batting effort on Day 2 of the first Test of a 2-match series in Galle on Monday, July 17.

Much like Sri Lanka, Pakistan overcame a top-order wobble to head to Stumps in a position of safety at the Galle International Stadium.

Pakistan were reeling at 101 for 5 as Sri Lanka, who finished with 312 on the board in their first innings, were looking to clean up the lower-order and seal a considerable lead.

Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the star of the bowling innings for Sri Lanka as he got 3 big wickets, including that of Pakistan captain Babar Azam for 13.

However, Pakistan staged a strong comeback with the bat with Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman adding an unbeaten 122 for the 6th wicket. Pakistan went to Stumps at 221 for 5, still trailing Sri Lanka’s first innings total by 91 runs when rain brought an early end to the day’s play in Galle.

Saud Shakeel became only the 5th batter after Sunil Gavaskar, Basil Butcher, Saeed Ahmad, and Bert Sutcliffe to score at least a fifty in each of his first 6 Test matches. The left-handed batter scored briskly, hitting 6 boundaries for his 88-ball 69 not out.

Agha Salman, on the other hand, hit a six and six boundaries for his unbeaten 61 in 84 balls.

Sri Lanka bowlers looked like they ran out of ideas in the final session as Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman put the pressure right back on them with a brisk approach.

The two batters will be looking to carry on and cut on Sri Lanka’s first-innings lead.

Earlier in the day, Kasun Rajitha got the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq after which Prabath Jayasuriya got the wickets of Abdullah Shafique (19) and Babar Azam. Ramesh Mendis got the wicket of Shan Masood for 39 just when the No. 3 batter looked to go full-tilt, getting them in just 30 balls.

Jayasuriya returned to get the wicket of Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed for 17.

DHANANJAYA HITS ANOTHER CENTURY

Sri Lanka were reeling at 54-4 on the first morning and owed its 300-plus total to vice-captain de Silva, who negotiated some nervous moments against the pace attack before cashing in against the spinners.

The middle-order batter resumed with his overnight score of 94 and reached his century with a single to fine leg off Shaheen. It was his third Test hundred against Pakistan, and also his third at Galle.

Pakistan took the second new ball in a bid to knock off the remaining wickets and started well when Naseem had Prabath Jayasuriya caught behind by Sarfraz Ahmed. De Silva was out for 122 when he sliced attempting to clear deep point and was caught by Shan Masood.

De Silva faced 214 deliveries and he hit 12 fours and three sixes.

There was stubborn resistance from Kasun Rajitha and Vishwa Fernando, who added 29 runs for the last wicket. Fernando scored 21 with two fours and a six, and the runs could prove to be crucial runs on a wicket that is turning considerably.

Sri Lanka added 70 runs on the second morning for the loss of four wickets, with the last wicket of Rajitha falling in the last over before lunch.