Test series: Pakistan go ahead in Sri Lanka despite state of emergency
The state of emergency in Sri Lanka did not stop Pakistan and the host cricket team to go on for the two-Test series.
The state of emergency in Sri Lanka did not stop Pakistan and the host cricket team to go on for the two-Test series after Green Caps wrapped up a 3-day tour match in Colombo against Sri Lanka Cricket XI amid massive protests due to the severe economic crisis.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson had earlier announced that the planned series will be unchanged.
Pakistan started the first Test at Galle today in a dominating mode against Sri Lanka in the first session after the host team won the toss and elected to bat first.
🚨 TOSS ALERT 🚨
Sri Lanka have won the toss and are batting first 🏏#SLvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/jL2bGfdDL4 pic.twitter.com/RqXmO9Y6IJ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 16, 2022
Sri Lanka lost six wickets against the strong bowling line-up of Pakistan at 110 runs by a blowing start of spinner Yasir Shah with three wickets, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi with two wickets and Hassan Ali with one wicket.
Opening batsman Oshada Fernando managed to score 35 runs off 49 balls to become the highest scorer so far while Dinesh Chandimal is still on the crease with 26 runs off 52.
The host team was 80/4 at lunch.
Lunch in Galle 🍽️
Session to Pakistan as Sri Lanka are 80-4 at the break 🏏#SLvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/3Ie2HHeRch pic.twitter.com/dbylkN2Wsx
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 16, 2022
Sri Lanka Test Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay
Pakistan’s XI for first Test: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc, wk), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi and Yasir Shah
All-rounder Salman Ali Agha made his Pakistan debut in the first Test.
“A feeling that cannot be described” 🤩
Pakistan’s Test cap No.247 @SalmanAliAgha1 is excited to don the golden star on his chest 🌟🇵🇰
📒: https://t.co/K6nEq5ST2a#SLvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/M1PK94KN7G
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 16, 2022
Sri Lanka crisis
Last week, Sri Lanka concluded an all-format series against Australia, featuring Twenty20 Internationals, One-day Internationals and Tests.
Following Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country amid protests, the island nation declared a state of emergency on Wednesday. Rajapaksa left the country on a military aircraft with his wife and two bodyguards and landed in the Maldives.
Making things complicated, thousands of people stormed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s palace as well on Wednesday. It has forced the country’s military to step in and urge people to refrain from doing so. With curfews in entire Colombo, Sri Lanka is in a state of turmoil and despair.
Sri Lanka’s national television network, Rupavahini, briefly suspended broadcast after protesters entered the TV station. The telecast resumed later.
Reports on Wednesday suggested that the Asian Cricket Council has also put Bangladesh on standby as hosts for the Asia Cup, which Sri Lanka was due to hold next month.
Second Test may be moved to Galle
The second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka may be moved from Colombo to Galle, owing to the possibility of political demonstrations in the capital, ESPNcricinfo reported.
While at no stage have cricket matches been threatened by the large-scale civil unrest seen in Sri Lanka over the last few months, and particularly in the past week, there are fears that masses descending on Colombo’s streets again may create logistical challenges for a Test match.
Galle itself had seen a large protest on July 9, on the second day of the second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka. However, the crowds seen there were not extraordinary in scale, as had been the case in Colombo.
Sri Lanka Cricket has been at pains to point out that the island remained a viable cricket destination, even as they prepare to host a Lanka Premier League in the first few weeks of August, followed by an Asia Cup featuring nine teams.
Khettarama was scheduled to host the second Test against Pakistan but if it shifts to Galle, this would be the third successive home Test series to be played exclusively at the venue.
