Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – 1st Test – Live Cricket Score and Match Update
Sri Lanka top order fired big time to put their team in total command on Day 1 of the opening Test against Pakistan, currently being played at the Galle International Stadium, June 22, 2012.
Having been outclassed in recent times, the Lankans seemed to have found the cutting edge against their Asian rivals this morning , which saw Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara scoring compelling centuries.
The pitch had offered turn but usually paved handsomely for the hosts' batters, who ensured that Pakistan's daunting bowling contingent had to toil hard. The tone was again set by Dilshan as the opener was aggressive, yet watchful, to avoid indulging in trial and error.
He brought his fifty in the first session, which had already given his side a perfect head-start. The scenario would have been bleaker for the tourists had Tharanga Paranavitana kept his cool and gave deserved respect to Saeed Ajmal, the world’s leading spinner.
After cautiously working his way to 24, his audacious attempt to hit Ajmal out of the park resulted in an easy stumping by Adnan Akmal. However, it did little to deter Dilshan from playing his natural game, albeit with a sense of principle.
Having already weathered the threat of Umar Gul and Junaid Khan, his approach against the spinners was also noteworthy, despite the pitching doing its bit. Dilshan collected his 13th century in due course, much to the delight of home fans, who already seemed thrilled to witness a sunny day at Galle.
However, Ajmal kept his side’s morale high with another wicket, this time of the dangerous Lankan opener, who received his marching orders after he was caught plumb in front.
Sangakkara had already reached his fifty before the end of the second session and continued with his new, rich vein of form by tackling the bowlers with relative ease and dispatching loose deliveries at will. He had been the only bright spot at UAE last year but this time around, found support from his teammates.
Mahela Jayawardene also kept his opponents searching for answers as the Lankan skipper posted a fluent half-century, despite fending off a close lbw appeal. With the home side reaching 300, the signs certainly look ominous for the tourists.