Nauman Ali delivered a magical bowling spell in early session as he removed three key players of Sri Lanka after hosts resumed batting at 14-0 on day four of the first Test at Galle. Nauman dismissed Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews while Abrar Ahmed sent Dimuth Karunaratne to packing. Salman Ali Agha removed Dinesh Chandimal as Sri Lanka lead by 13 runs in 55.2 overs in response to Pakistan’s 149 runs lead. On day three, Saud Shakeel became the first Pakistan batsman to make a double hundred in Sri Lanka as the visitors took control of the first test after making 461 on Tuesday.

Behind by 149 runs on the first innings, Sri Lanka reduced that to 135 when it was 14 for no loss by stumps on day three. Shakeel was stranded on 208 not out, his second century in two tests, when Pakistan was all out after tea. Replying to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 312, Pakistan had slumped to 101-5 on Monday before Shakeel combined in a 177-run stand with Agha Salman, who made 83, to revive the visitors. Earlier, after Pakistan had resumed on 221-5, Salman threw away his wicket as he came charging down the track against Ramesh Mendis (5-136) only to miss the ball and be stumped. By lunch, Pakistan had overtaken Sri Lanka and the lead continued to swell as Shakeel forged 50-plus partnerships with Noman Ali (25) and Naseem Shah, who made only nine but survived 78 balls to frustrate the hosts. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya finished with figures of 3-145.

 
Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP