After an intriguing first Test which Sri Lanka won by 21 runs, the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is all set to begin from October 6th at Dubai international cricket stadium in Dubai. It will be a Day/Night Test match; this will be the first time Sri Lanka will play in a D/N Test. On the other hand, this will be Pakistan’s second Day/night Test match. They played their first D/N Test against West Indies in Dubai in 2015 and won by 56 runs.
Sri Lanka won a thrilling Test in Abu Dhabi which again showed the vulnerable side of Pakistani batting in the second innings. Rangana Herath was adjudged the man of the match in the first Test for his 11 wickets in the Test match. He also picked up his 400th Test wicket in the process.
Sri Lanka scored 419 in the first innings with Dinesh Chandimal scoring an unbeaten 155 of 372 deliveries. Pakistan then took a three-run lead in the first innings courtesy some substantial contribution by the Pakistani top order. However, no batsman touched the three-figure mark, Azhar Ali top scored with 85 followed by a 76 by debutant Haris Sohail.
The second innings was not as high scoring as the first innings. Sri Lanka could manage 138 in the second innings. As the pitch started to wear down, the spotlight now fell on spinners from both the sides. Yasir Shah picked up five wickets in the innings. He finished with the figures of eight for 171 in the match. Pakistan was set a modest target of 136 runs to win the game. This modest target looked like a massive one when Rangana Herath spun his web around the Pakistani batsman and took six wickets to help Sri Lanka defend their lowest ever total in Tests.
Pakistan will be looking forward to sorting out there batting woes in the second Test and try and level the series. On the other hand, Sri Lanka who lost 9-0 to India recently would like to continue their winning form forward and win the series.
Pakistan’s Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (C&WK), Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Shan Massod, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Bilal Asif, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar.
Sri Lanka’s Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (C), Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage, Rangana Herath, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Sadeera, Samarawickrama, Lakshan Sandaka, Roshan Silva, Kushal Silva.