The Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan kicked off with an exciting first day of cricket. Pakistan’s bowlers showed their skills, making it tough for Sri Lanka’s batsmen. Even though Sri Lanka chose to bat first after winning the toss, they struggled to handle the sharp bowling from Pakistan. Let’s take a closer look at what happened on the opening day of the Test.

The Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan got underway with an eventful first day of cricket. The Pakistani bowlers showcased their skills, making it difficult for the Sri Lankan batsmen to settle in. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat, but in just the fourth ball of the innings (0.4 overs), Nishan Madushka managed to hit a boundary, giving them a positive start.

However, their early joy was short-lived as Karunaratne fell early too in the second over (1.2 overs). The Pakistan bowlers, led by Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi, maintained a probing line and length, causing trouble for the Sri Lankan top-order. The pressure led to a mix-up between Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka, resulting in the latter being run-out (2.4 overs).

Despite the early setbacks, Karunaratne tried to steady the innings and played some elegant shots. He found support from Angelo Mathews, but the resilient Mathews was eventually dismissed by Naseem Shah in the 10th over, caught behind by the wicketkeeper.

At 25 overs, Dhananjaya de Silva showcased some counterattacking cricket, playing confidently and hitting well-timed boundaries. However, just when it seemed like Sri Lanka was gaining some momentum, Chandimal was caught out by Naseem Shah’s cleverly bowled short ball (33rd over).

The day’s play concluded with Sri Lanka facing difficulties, losing wickets at regular intervals. The Pakistani bowlers, especially Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi, displayed their skills and put the hosts in a challenging position. As the next day’s play unfolds, Sri Lanka will look to regroup and post a competitive total, while Pakistan will aim to capitalize on their early advantage.