Captain Karunaratne battles through pain to put Sri Lanka in control of second Test

26.07.2022 - 17:15 thenationalnews.com

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne overcame intense back pain to put his team in a strong position in the second Test against Pakistan in Galle on Tuesday.

The hosts reached 176-5 when early stumps was called due to bad weather, extending their lead to 323 on day three of the Test after dismissing the visitors for 231 earlier with Ramesh Mendis picking up five wickets.

Even though Pakistan bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals, an unbroken 59-run stand for the sixth wicket between Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva saw Sri Lanka’s lead exceed 300.

However, Sri Lanka will still not be breathing easy as Pakistan had chased down 342 to win the first Test, also at Galle. Karunaratne has been struggling with back spasms during this Test and only came out to bat after the fall of the fourth wicket.

bowling Test second test Angelo Mathews Dimuth Karunaratne Sri Lanka Pakistan

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 5 Live Score Updates: After Bad light forced an early end to Day 4's play in the second Test in Galle, the Day 5 has started. Pakistan ended Day 4 on 89/1 in their mammoth chase of 508 against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq, on 46, and skipper Babar Azam, on 26, were at the crease with more than 90 minutes and 26 overs of play left in the final session on day four. Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya sent back first-match hero Abdullah Shafique for 16 with debutant Dunith Wellalage taking a good running catch at mid-off. Dhananjaya de Silva hit 109 before Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 360-8 in the second session. Tourists Pakistan, who won the first match of the two-Test series, face an almost impossible task if they are to make it 2-0. They need to bat out over three sessions for a draw. (LIVE SCORECARD)

2nd Test: De Silva ton sets Pakistan monumental chase in second Test

Pakistan were 89-1 when bad light stopped play early and stumps were called on day four in Galle with left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq on 46 and skipper Babar Azam on 26. The arrival of rain ended any chances of play, adding to Pakistan's hopes of a draw to clinch the two-match series, which they lead 1-0. But the tourists will need to make an unprecedented chase -- with another 419 runs needed to win -- if they are to make it 2-0.

Sri Lanka need nine wickets, Pakistan battle to save Galle test

COLOMBO : Sri Lanka set Pakistan a record target of 508 and then restricted them to 89-1 to keep alive their hopes of a series-levelling victory in the second test on Wednesday.

De Silva ton sets Pakistan monumental chase in second Test

Dhananjaya de Silva struck a century as Sri Lanka handed Pakistan a mammoth victory target of 508 before bad weather hit the hosts' chances of wickets in the second Test on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd Test Day 4 Live Score And Updates: Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya De Silva Eye To Consolidate Sri Lanka's Lead

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Day 4 Live Score And Updates: Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva have helped Sri Lanka extend their lead over 300 against Pakistan in the ongoing second Test at the Galle International Stadium. The duo took forward the Sri Lankan innings from 176 for 5, with a lead of 323, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Karunaratne and de Silva resumed at their individual scores of 27 and 30, respectively. Earlier, Sri Lanka had scored 378 runs before bundling out Pakistan for 231 and gaining a 147-run first-innings lead. (LIVE SCORECARD)

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd Test: Niroshan Dickwella, Fawad Alam Involved In Friendly Banter

Sri Lanka tightened its grip on the 2nd Test match on day 3 of the second Test match against Pakistan despite a spirited comeback by the touring team's bowlers. Pakistan were bowled out for 231 in their first innings with Ramesh Mendis picking up a fifer. This gave the hosts a sizeable first innings lead but the Pakistan bowlers picked up regular wickets to deny Sri Lanka a clear advantage yet.