The rain-affected Galle Test enters an exciting fourth day with Pakistan needing 83 more runs for their first win against Sri Lanka in over a year, with seven wickets to spare.
Traditionally, Pakistan team is prone to problems in the second innings, so even a modest target of 131 runs is not easy for Pakistan.
The Galle Test, which continued to be affected by rain, was dramatically tilted in Pakistan’s favor when the hosts suffered a substandard performance in their second innings by the Pakistani bowlers and fielders.
Pakistan team’s first innings lead of 148 runs proved to be decisive, which did not allow Sri Lanka’s batting to cope. Credit goes to Saud Shakeel when his double century proved to be the decisive difference.
Sri Lanka started their second innings on the third day, but the innings ended before the end of the fourth day.
Sri Lankan openers failed once again. Skipper Karunaratne, who was highly anticipated, was dismissed for 20 off Abrar Ahmed. Kaushal Mendis was left lbw by Nouman Ali for 18 runs while veteran Angelo Mathews also fell victim to Nouman Ali.
Dinesh Chandimill and Samavaravakarma were dismissed by Salman Ali Agha. Dhananja de Silva once again played a brilliant knock of 82 and played a key role in giving Pakistan a somewhat competitive target. them Shaheen Shah Afridi Out.
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Ramesh De Silva supported Dhananja well and scored 42 runs, but he could not take the team to a better position.
Sri Lanka’s entire team was bowled out for 279 in the second innings, leaving Pakistan with a target of 131 runs to win. This goal is neither too difficult nor too easy. Especially when Pakistan have to face the dangerous spinners of Sri Lanka on the fifth day on a wicket known as the paradise of spinners like Gall.
Pakistan’s second innings did not start well either. Abdullah Shafiq failed once again, he scored eight runs and was caught out by Jayasuriya
Shaan Masood also failed and was caught at short leg for seven runs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam celebrate Dhananjaya’s dismissal in Galle Test on July 19, 2023 (AFP)
Noman Ali was run out taking a second run which was not needed.
When the game ended, Pakistan had scored 48 runs for the loss of three wickets. In front of the truth 25 and Babur Azam He was not out for six runs.
Excellent fielding by Pakistan
Pakistan fielded well in the Galle Test and took several impossible catches to change the course of the game. Imamul Haq Abdullah Shafiq and Babar Azam took brilliant catches.
Pakistan’s excellent fielding guided Sri Lanka’s key batsmen to the pavilion as Pakistan edged closer to victory.
However, on the fifth day of the match, when the bounce on the wicket is uneven, the Pakistani batsmen will have to settle down, otherwise Jayasuriya and Mendes are the spinners who can dominate the match.
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#Cheek #Test #Pakistans #surprisingly #strong #fielding
**Interview with Cricket Analyst, Sarah Malik, on the Fourth Day of the Galle Test**
**Editor:** Welcome, Sarah! The Galle Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is shaping up to be quite an event. Pakistan needs just 83 runs for a much-awaited victory. How do you see their chances, especially given their history in the second innings?
**Sarah Malik:** Thank you for having me! It’s definitely an interesting scenario. Historically, Pakistan has had trouble in the second innings, and while 83 runs seems manageable, it’s crucial to acknowledge the pressure that comes with chasing even modest targets. The conditions in Galle, with its spin-friendly wicket, could pose significant challenges.
**Editor:** Exactly, and we saw Pakistan’s bowlers put up a strong performance in the second innings of Sri Lanka. What do you think made the difference?
**Sarah Malik:** Absolutely, the Pakistani bowlers were exceptional. They capitalized on a weak Sri Lankan batting lineup, particularly with the early dismissals of key players like Karunaratne and Mathews. The highlight, of course, was the outstanding double century by Saud Shakeel in Pakistan’s first innings, which provided a crucial lead. He anchored the innings beautifully, allowing the bowlers to put Sri Lanka under pressure.
**Editor:** With that said, do you think Pakistan’s batting lineup is equipped to handle the Sri Lankan spinners on Day Five?
**Sarah Malik:** It’s a game of mental strength as much as skill. The likes of Dhananjaya de Silva have proven to be capable opponents. But Pakistan’s batsmen, especially the openers, need to step up after their poor performances so far in the second innings. If they can tackle the spin challenge early on, the middle order can take over.
**Editor:** What do you think are the keys for Pakistan to secure the win?
**Sarah Malik:** They must focus on building partnerships. With the wicket assisting spinners, reckless shots or early dismissals could prove fatal. If they can establish a solid opening partnership, that will help to absorb the pressure and chase down the target steadily. Additionally, maintaining a positive mindset and staying patient will be vital.
**Editor:** And looking ahead, what does a win here mean for Pakistan, considering they haven’t defeated Sri Lanka in over a year?
**Sarah Malik:** A victory would be a massive morale boost for the entire team. It could reignite confidence in their batting, especially in challenging conditions. It would also represent a shift in their fortunes, potentially impacting their performance in upcoming series. Winning in Galle, a venue known for its spin, would certainly be a feather in their cap.
**Editor:** Thank you, Sarah, for your insights. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how the final day unfolds!
**Sarah Malik:** My pleasure! Let’s hope for an exciting finish.