Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha showcased remarkable resilience as they formed a formidable partnership, contributing 120 runs off 148 deliveries to revive Pakistan’s innings in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on July 17. The duo’s superb stroke selection and ability to exploit the gaps in the field left the Sri Lankan bowlers searching for answers.
On day two, as bad light and light showers forced an early end, Pakistan recovered impressively from a precarious position of 101 for five to reach a commendable total of 221 for five.
Saud Shakeel, in his debut Test match outside Pakistan, displayed exceptional form, remaining unbeaten with a resilient 69 runs. His recent consistent performances against England and New Zealand demonstrate his current good touch.
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Salman Ali Agha, who made his Test debut in Galle a year ago, silenced his critics with an impressive unbeaten knock of 61 runs.
Saud Shakeel faced 88 deliveries and struck six boundaries, while Salman Ali Agha’s 84-ball innings included six fours and a six. Prabath Jayasuriya, the left-arm spinner known for troubling Pakistan in the past, emerged as the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming three wickets but conceding 83 runs at an economy rate of over five runs per over.
Ramesh Mendis, the off-spinner, dismissed Shan Masood but ended the day with an economy rate of 4.84. Fast bowler Vishwa Fernando, however, remained wicketless, conceding 34 runs in his five overs.
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Pakistan faced a challenging start to their innings, losing Imam Ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique early on. Shan Masood provided a quick-fire 39 runs, but the dismissals of Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed added further setbacks. Nevertheless, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha joined forces to stabilize the innings and keep Pakistan in contention.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka’s lower-order batsmen managed to add 70 runs to their overnight score of 242 for six, eventually reaching a total of 312 before being bowled out. Dhananjaya de Silva, who resumed his innings at 94, notched an impressive century, scoring 122 runs before being dismissed by fast bowler Naseem Shah, who ended the innings with three wickets.
De Silva’s innings included 12 boundaries and three sixes. Sri Lanka’s innings concluded with Vishwa Fernando remaining unbeaten on 21 and Kasun Rajitha contributing eight runs.
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On the second day, Abrar Ahmed claimed the wicket of Ramesh Mendis, while Naseem Shah dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya, restricting Sri Lanka to 282 for eight. Abrar completed his three-wicket haul by dismissing Rajitha, ultimately bringing Sri Lanka’s innings to a close at 312.
In summary, Sri Lanka’s first innings amounted to 312 runs, with Dhananjaya de Silva’s notable knock of 122 and contributions from Angelo Mathews (64) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (36).
Pakistan, in response, reached 221 for five in 45 overs, with Saud Shakeel (69*) and Salman Ali Agha (61*) leading the fightback. Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming three wickets for 83 runs.
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