At the end of Day 1, Sri Lanka finished the opening game of the two-Test series with a score of 242 runs. The ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 cycle got underway with the two teams squaring off at the Galle International Stadium. Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan, who played his last Test in July 2022, made his return to the red-ball setup exactly one year later. When choosing to put up a total on the board, Dimuth Karunaratne made the appropriate decision.
The day’s opening blow was delivered by Shaheen Afridi when he eliminated Nishan Madushka for just four runs off of nine balls.
The pace merchant eventually returned with his 100th Test cricket wicket. As the Lankan Lions were reduced to 53/3, Shaheen quickly took the wickets of Kusal Mendis and captain Dimuth Karunaratne.
Experienced batsmen Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva made the decision to bat through and stay steady at the wicket in the middle order to help the struggling team get back on track. They combined for an outstanding 131 runs to reenter the game.
Abrar Ahmed, a spinner, put an end to Mathews’ effort, though, as the latter blasted one out to the keeper and was dismissed for 64 runs off 109 balls after a minor deflection. In an inning that had nine boundaries, the seasoned batsman returned to the pavilion on foot.
Dinesh Chandimal only stayed at the crease for six balls, scoring one run, thus his time there was brief. The rain gods began to make their presence known as the performance was being interrupted, so the covers were pulled up. The decision was made by the match authorities to continue bowling a few more overs when the rain stopped.
Dhananjaya maintained the Islanders’ composure with a brilliant innings as he amassed another crucial 57-run partnership with Sadeera Samarawickrama (94* off 157 balls). As a result, Sri Lanka finished Day 1 with 242 runs and six wickets in hand.
Here’s how Twitter reacted on Day 1 of the SL vs PAK Test:
100 and Counting…. 💯🚀
Congratulations @iShaheenAfridi on the amazing milestone in your career. Keep rising and striking those stumps 🔥#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/JRLq5HKUKI
— Fawad Alam (@iamfawadalam25) July 16, 2023
Highlights of Day 1 📸 ♥️#PAKvSL #SLvPAK #SLvsPAK pic.twitter.com/rj1zzAmvFE
— Hamxa 🏏🇵🇰 (@hamxashahbax21) July 16, 2023
Imam Imam Imam!!!! Incredible Catch In Last Over Of The Day 🔥🔥🔥
Srilanka 242/6 ❤️#PakvsSL #SLvsPAK pic.twitter.com/iDGKoKXYYl
— King Babar Azam Army (@babarazamking_) July 16, 2023
Stumps Day-1
Sri Lanka – 242/6
De Silva 94(157)*Shaheen – 63/3 #PAKvSL #SLvsPAK #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/5rVb2sq878
— Nk Kapoor (@NkKapoor_04) July 16, 2023
Day 1 – Stumps
Sri Lanka 242/6 (65.4) #sportspavilionlk #SLvsPAK #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/oCU8BcoHVn
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) July 16, 2023
India
