Despite a top-order stumble while chasing a paltry winning total of 131 at Galle on Wednesday, Pakistan stayed on course to win the first Test against Sri Lanka. They completed the chase within the first hour of Day 5 and lost just three more wickets on their course to victory.
After securing a comfortable first-innings lead of 149 in the opening game of the two-test series, Babar Azam’s team was in control. They lost the toss and were successful in keeping the hosts’ score down to 312. Pakistan were also in a heap of trouble and were going to concede a big first innings lead. But a big and much-needed partnership between Agha Salman and Saud Shakeel took the game away from Sri Lanka. The match turned towards the visitors and they were able to gain a first innings lead of 149 runs. Saud Shakeel scored another magnificent century and converted it into a big one as he scored a massive 208*.
By dismissing Sri Lanka for 279 during their second innings, their spin unit of Noman Ali, Abrar Ahmed and Agha Salman further solidified their position. The trio together were able to take 8 Sri Lankan wickets and were also a major reason for their victory.
Dhananjaya de Silva scored 82 runs for the home team after scoring 100 in the first innings. He was one of the most promising players for the hosts in the first test. Prabath Jayasuriya was also one of the positives for the hosts as he had been clinical and was able to trouble the batters more often than not.
Pakistan were in a bit of danger at stumps on day 4 as the scoreboard indicated 48-3 and required 83 runs when play resumed on Thursday. Babar Azam and Imam ul-Haq decided to attack from the first over to remove the pressure and even though Pakistan lost three wickets, they were inching closer to the total at all times. In the end, Pakistan take away the first test of the series and more importantly the 12 WTC points to kick off their campaign.
Fans react to Pakistan’s 4-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test:
Pakistan won their first Test match in 365 days. pic.twitter.com/AFXJaDgC3u
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 20, 2023
Test victory after one year minnows for a reason ?
— Logical Cricket Poll (@adityaraj2kfrek) July 20, 2023
Captain Barber tight competition with sacked Captain Kohli
— Nisha ? (@NishaRo45_) July 20, 2023
What a achievement this is ?
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) July 20, 2023
It wouldn't have been hard to just tweet than Pakistan won instead of writing a whole story about our last win and our current win.Always negativity
— Tanveer Akhtar (@Tanveer13345077) July 20, 2023
Zimbabar contributing in this win? pic.twitter.com/vtPK8HMorI
— ?????? ????????? (@impkdurg26) July 20, 2023
Pak wins the 1st Test by 4 wkts. Positive start to WTC campaign.???
— WaQar Azam? (@iamwazam) July 20, 2023
Next win in next year then.
— *VK18?* (@ImGani22) July 20, 2023
A national holiday should be declared in Pakistan ??
— Shivanand chavhan (@shivanand_08) July 20, 2023
Most successful visiting team to Sri Lanka.
Pakistan ??— Shaista? (@Shaista2054) July 20, 2023
Imagine still having the audacity to troll a team that has played 2 consecutive WTC finals
— Khush Thakkar (@Khush_Thakkar12) July 20, 2023
