‘An eventful opening day’: Twitter reacts as Sri Lanka cross 300-run-mark on Day 1 of the second Test against Pakistan

The second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan got underway on Sunday at Galle International Stadium as Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision to bat first was further vindicated by Sri Lankan openers as captain Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando added 92 runs for the first wicket. After a good opening stand, Sri Lanka lost their way and ended up losing three wickets in quick succession as Pakistan clawed their way back into the game.

At the score of 120/3, Angelo Mathews walked in to bat, who’s playing his 100th Test match.  The onus of taking Sri Lanka out of the misery was now on Mathews and in form Dinesh Chandimal, who were looking good at the wicket. Mathews survived a catch drop from Pakistan captain Babar Azam before finally getting dismissed for 42 in his 100^th Test at the score of 195/4. After Mathews’ dismissal, Chandimal decided to take on the Pakistan spinners as he started playing attacking shots all around the ground. He perished for 80 after attempting another big hit against Mohammad Nawaz.

Sri Lanka lost another set batter as Dhananjay De Silva was undone by a beautiful in-swinger from Naseem Shah which crashed into his middle stump. Sri Lanka looked like getting all out in the final session but wicketkeeper batter Niroshan Dickwella’s counter-attacking knock made sure Sri Lanka ended Day 1 on a high. Dickwella remained not out on 42 off 43, he got good support from Dunith Wellalage, who is unbeaten on 6 at the crease.

Sri Lanka finished Day 1 with the score of 315/6 and will be aiming to take their score past 400 on Day 2. Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers from Pakistan, who picked up two wickets for 71. Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah also picked up one wicket each.

Here’s how Twitter is reacting to an eventful Day 1 of the Test Match: