Pakistan (218 & 342/6) defeat Sri Lanka (222 & 337) to win the 1st Test by 4 wickets

[Firebat]

The state of play at the start of the 5th and final Day, as Pakistan require 120 runs for victory with 7 wickets in hand:

A result should be fairly imminent, weather permitting:



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[Abdullah]

Kudos to Pakistan already, regardless of what happens.
Chasing 342 was a pipe dream at the same time yesterday.
Now, whilst it remains difficult, it is definitely game on.
Guys who are in need to take the responsibility, as it will be tough for a new batter ( if we can call what are to come batters!)

 

[Savak]

No scratching around. Attack the Sri Lankan bowlers from ball one and aim to chase the score by lunch. Induce panic in the bowling attack

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Shafique should anchor the innings.

Rizwan and Shafique are the last two recognized batters , so if one of the two get out...SL will have their tails up.

Best option is to bring in Hasan Ali early and try to shrink the score down to two digits.

(*btw Dickwella stumping Imam was below the belt. Imam was batting well too. Cheap stuff.)

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Let's go Pakistan!

 

[boomboomcheema]

It's raining at the ground.

Rain had to ruin a good day of Cricket

 

[MenInG]

Day 4 highlights

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[boomboomcheema]

Pakistan need to keep scoring and look to get bulk of the runs in the first session itself.

 

[Marooned]

Any idea of current weather? Are we going to start on time?

 

[boomboomcheema]

147 balls without a boundary . At this rate, Pakistan would be taking the game into the final hour of the day. Hope not. Abdullah was striking at over 50 when he got his half century but is getting more and more slower now.

 

[Marooned]

147 balls without a boundary . At this rate, Pakistan would be taking the game into the final hour of the day. Hope not. Abdullah was striking at over 50 when he got his half century but is getting more and more slower now.

They didn't need to be ultra defensive towards the later part of the day, with both batsmen well set. They just decided to go into their shells for no reason. That's when the babar dismissal happened too.
The moment you stop putting pressure on the opposition, they find ways to comeback.

 

[daytrader]

and Rizwan ends the boundary drought. Excellent shot!

 

[daytrader]

Review lost by SL. Jayasuriya certainly knows how to appeal

 

[boomboomcheema]

Rizwan playing with an intent.

 

[daytrader]

one review remaining for SL

 

[Marooned]

Right approach by Rizwan. Keeping the scoreboard moving.

 

[boomboomcheema]

SL lose all their reviews

 

[Titan24]

Srl using all their reviews in the morning

 

[daytrader]

Reviews done

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Last 10 overs - 31/0. Good going.

 

[Anis Shivani]

I felt on the first day of the match that Abdullah would score 156 not out while the whole team crumbled around him in the first innings, and that the two all-rounders would be the second and third highest scorers. I was wrong about the first innings, but looks like it's coming true for the second innings. Ever since Abdullah came on the scene I've felt like he's a once in a generation talent. I'm sure that in 2037 when he retires after doing amazing things for Pakistan in all formats he will go down as one of the top ten batsmen ever to play for the country. Toward the end of this decade he will take over from Babar Azam as the latter goes into eclipse. I think some commenters here are too hard on him about things he still needs to learn; he will, while playing international cricket, and very rapidly too. None of this excuses the selecting one batsman short, which makes their job harder, but this is really enjoyable and actually historic. He's the player I've most looked forward to watching this last year or so. I've been saying all along not to play him in ODIs is criminal. Imam did well enough yesterday, but the difference in talent between the two was quite obvious.

 

[Shafi]

Really great batting. We just need to move on from Azhar, Fawad, Sarfraz, Yasir, Hasan at least. These players are finished and we need to replace them with young players.

 

[daytrader]

The target is within sight. Excellent batting by these two, haven't taken any pressure

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

If Pakistan manage to chase this total down they will become the first team to chase four 300+ totals in Asia.

Right now, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have chased down three a piece. While Australia, India and West Indies have all chased one 300+ total in Asia.

 

[Titan24]

That one stayed really low.

Time for Agha to shine and take the team home

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Big loss.

Abdullah plays too timid.

This could be dangerous.

 

[Marooned]

66 runs needed. I would've brought nawaz on before Agha.

 

[Titan24]

66 runs needed. I would've brought nawaz on before Agha.

Yes a lefty possibly could have negotiated Jayasuriya more easily

 

[Ahmed216]

66 runs needed. I would've brought nawaz on before Agha.

I would have sent in hassan ali to strike a few lusty blows

 

[Titan24]

Reverse sweep by Agha and 4

 

[Marooned]

Lol Agha comes preloaded with bazball.

 

[pillionrider]

If Pakistan manage to chase this total down they will become the first team to chase four 300+ totals in Asia.

Right now, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have chased down three a piece. While Australia, India and West Indies have all chased one 300+ total in Asia.

Makes sense. Teams with better bowling attacks seldom need to chase high

 

[Ashmal]

I would have sent in hassan ali to strike a few lusty blows

Nah....they have picked Agha to play, so now they should fully back him to go out there and perform.

Demoting him will dent his confidence

 

[Titan24]

Offies of Srl can easily be targeted. Mendis averages 36 odd with the ball in FC cricket. Jayasuriya has been the one only genuine threat in this wicket

 

[pillionrider]

Rizwan played well. Gutsy cover driving to Jayasuriya that kept the score moving along

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Makes sense. Teams with better bowling attacks seldom need to chase high

I guess that's why India has chased down so many 300+ totals in ODIs

 

[Marooned]

It's a smart strategy by Agha btw. If he can score quick here, he knows he will get a longer rope with fans.

 

[Titan24]

It's a smart strategy by Agha btw. If he can score quick here, he knows he will get a longer rope with fans.

Even the management. At no 6 and 7 in test cricket you should have the ability to push especially considering the modern era where you either need to get the scoreboard going or if you are struggling you should be able to counter attack a bit.

 

[daytrader]

It's a smart strategy by Agha btw. If he can score quick here, he knows he will get a longer rope with fans.

Should focus on the win rather than what fans think. More time in the middle and test runs will give him confidence that he belongs at this level rather than getting out cheaply trying to please fans

 

[PakPremi]

Jayasuriya continues to be impressive but Abdullah equal to him.

 

[Marooned]

Makes sense. Teams with better bowling attacks seldom need to chase high

Are we talking about the one that failed to defend ~400 runs? Yeah great attack.

 

[Mean&Green]

It's a smart strategy by Agha btw. If he can score quick here, he knows he will get a longer rope with fans.

It’s about playing according to the situation he’s not come in at 85/7 he’s come in when he can literally slog 2 or 3 and it will win the game for his country it’s all about bazball

 

[indianpanacea]

Some absolute changed for next match
1 Abdullah Shafiq
2 imam
3 Shaan Masood
4 Babar
5 saud shakeel
6 Rizwan
7nawaz
8 yasir
9 Nauman
10 Hassan Ali
11 Afridi

 

[PakPremi]

Score under 50 to chase, should be quite easy now but it would not be a Pakistan team if it did not create atleast a little bit drama at the end.

 

[PakPremi]

Some absolute changed for next match
1 Abdullah Shafiq
2 imam
3 Shaan Masood
4 Babar
5 saud shakeel
6 Rizwan
7nawaz
8 yasir
9 Nauman
10 Hassan Ali
11 Afridi

Will be exactly same team, although the only one deserves dropping is Azhar.

 

[shah_1]

That is what you get when you pick bit and pieces player like Agha

Saud deserved to get picked

 

[boomboomcheema]

Little tense now going into Lunch.

 

[Marooned]

So Salman blows his chance for now. Safe to say.

 

[Mean&Green]

Let me sleep I knew it these guys are gonna pull a rengana Herath

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Should be the end of Agha Salman's test career. Another one from Saad Nasim school.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Nawaz, Hassan, Yasir, Afridi and Naseem to partner Shafique.

 

[Marooned]

It will get tense for sure.

 

[Ahmed216]

Picking agha was a baffling decision. Test cricket u don't opt for bits n pieces babar.
Now nawaz played very nervously in first innings. This is far from over

 

[Savak]

Jayasuriya is lethal on this wicket. He has the perfect arm ball, has superb control over his turn as well.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Salman learning from Azhar Ali

Wasting reviews and all that

 

[PakEngFan]

This should be salman first and last game truly a pathetic player. How on earth is Saud benched for him.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This is who Fawad Alam was dropped for?

To be clear, he is not an all-rounder. At best he is part-timer with the ball based on his skill level. With the bat he is no modern, aggressive No.6 style bat who can come in and take the game away. So why exactly is he in the side.

Even if they were intent on dropping Fawad, there is no way he deserves to make the side over Saud Shakeel.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

This Salman guy has neither contributed with ball nor with bat. That sums up the story of our special all rounder.

I don't know how his 38 avg in FC landed him at international cricket.

We definitely need Fawad in next test.

 

[indianpanacea]

Salman Agha is purely white ball cricketer.
Saud shakeel is technically correct and very patient batter
Azhar Ali has played enough..now time to say bye bye
Other deserving young batters in domestic like mubasir ,Kamran Ghulam need to travel with test team.
Young offspinner need to be identified and made to travel with team..Nauman and Nawaz are not test quality..they will be successful only on Turner's..There is a left armer spinner whose name I don't recollect but was playing in County domestics and was very impressive.He was earlier in U19 Pak team also with imam.
A tearaway pacer be identified,till then haris rouf be played instead of naseem

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Salman Agha is purely white ball cricketer.
Saud shakeel is technically correct and very patient batter
Azhar Ali has played enough..now time to say bye bye
Other deserving young batters in domestic like mubasir ,Kamran Ghulam need to travel with test team.
Young offspinner need to be identified and made to travel with team..Nauman and Nawaz are not test quality..they will be successful only on Turner's..There is a left armer spinner whose name I don't recollect but was playing in County domestics and was very impressive.He was earlier in U19 Pak team also with imam.
A tearaway pacer be identified,till then haris rouf be played instead of naseem

Saud and Kamran should have been part of this team a year ago, but we are too reluctant to change the seniority culture basis which Azhar has been playing despite his poor run for last 3-4 years now.

Also, Rizwan has also been poor in longer format apart his performance vs Aus ( Home and away). Pakistan needs to see if they can bring back Sarfaraz instead who is better player of spin in these conditions.

 

[Marooned]

Saud and Kamran should have been part of this team a year ago, but we are too reluctant to change the seniority culture basis which Azhar has been playing despite his poor run for last 3-4 years now.

Also, Rizwan has also been poor in longer format apart his performance vs Aus ( Home and away). Pakistan needs to see if they can bring back Sarfaraz instead who is better player of spin in these conditions.

Rizwan in tests has been great. Don't see where you are coming from.

 

[PakEngFan]

Saud and Kamran should have been part of this team a year ago, but we are too reluctant to change the seniority culture basis which Azhar has been playing despite his poor run for last 3-4 years now.

Also, Rizwan has also been poor in longer format apart his performance vs Aus ( Home and away). Pakistan needs to see if they can bring back Sarfaraz instead who is better player of spin in these conditions.

Lol at Sarfraz over rizwan. Rizwan poor in test? Sarfraz should never play for Pakistan again. Truly a rubbish player.

 

[PakEngFan]

Rizwan in tests has been great. Don't see where you are coming from.

He’s coming from being a fan of Sarfraz even then this is ridiculous.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Rizwan in tests has been great. Don't see where you are coming from.

Since January 2021 he has been the regular member for all the formats. In between this period he has played 22 test innings where has scored just 4 50's and 2 100's. It also includes 8 innings where has scored less than 20 runs.

These stats doesn't justify the kind of talent he has.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Uh oh... Jayasuriya tore through Aussies and 44 is a long way right now

 

[jattafridi]

Exciting match

 

[Titan24]

Need to play Jayasuriya defensively and try to milk runs against other bowlers to finish it off.

 

[Titan24]

Hasan Ali promoted

 

[jattafridi]

Hasan gone omg

 

[JibranAnsari]

There is no way pakistans going to win from here.

 

[Ahmed216]

Hasan Ali promoted

Made sense but hassan thinks he can hit every ball out of the park

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Hasan Ali being Hasan Ali.

 

[jattafridi]

Classic match

 

[Ahmed216]

Time has come for Abdullah to look for runs

 

[waheed_sofi]

Nonsense move...
Who promoted Hasan.
Now Nawaz has unnecessary pressure.

 

[shah_1]

Really poor from Hasan Ali

 

[waheed_sofi]

Slow run rate might haunt pak now

 

[shah_1]

Need 25 runs partnership

 

[jattafridi]

Sri Lanka don’t wanna lose at home


Record breaking chase

 

[waheed_sofi]

Jayasuriya is now 1 Wicket away from his 4th 5for in his 4th inning of career. Wow