Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Day 4 – 1st Test – Pakistan setting their eyes on victory tomorrow to take a 1-0 lead in the series

1^st Session – Day 4 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – 2023

After a delayed start on Day 4 of 1st Test of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka , Sri Lanka resumed their innings from 14-0. Sri Lanka followed a careful approach in the beginning to complete the trail of 149 runs. However, Sri Lanka scored with a healthy run rate of 3.81 in the first session. Openers were having answers to all the questions thrown at them by Pakistani fast bowlers.

Babar Azam decided to bring on Abrar Ahmed after 9 overs being bowled on the day. Sri Lanka’s first wicket fell on 42 when Abrar striked on the first ball of his 2^nd over of the day. He dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne who played a loose shot to midwicket, where Agha Salman took a very sharp catch just inches above the ground. Sri Lanka’s fight back continued for a while, but their 2^nd wicket fell on 79 when Noman Ali dismissed Kusal Mendis. Noman trapped Mendis stone dead in front of the stumps who reviewed the umpire’s decision but the screen showed three reds. Mendis departed for 18.

Noman Ali came to the party hard in first session where he took another wicket by dismissing Angelo Mathews on just 7. Mathews was caught by Babar Azam who took a fantastic catch at first slip. Sri Lankans relied heavily on Mathews who have always performed well against Pakistan but today just wasn’t his day. Pakistan was able to contain Sri Lanka in the first session who had scored 80 runs for the loss of 3 wickets and still trailing by 55 runs. Sri Lanka ended the first session with 94-3.

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2^nd Session – Day 4 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – 2023

Wickets continue to fell for Sri Lanka after lunch as Noman striked again by dismissing Nishan Madushka. Madushka scored 52 before he was caught behind. Sarfaraz took a good catch behind the stumps. Sri Lanka were now 99-4. The star of Sri Lanka’s first innings Dhananjaya De Silva came to the crease who continued his form from the  last innings. Chandimal and Dhananjaya added 50 runs for the fifth wicket partnership.

Just as the pair was settling to go for a big partnership after completing the trail of 149, Agha Salman broke this partnership by dismissing Chandimal for 28. He whipped the ball hard and low, where Imam-ul-Haq took a sharp, low-diving catch. Samarawickrama was the next to fall for 11, who smashed two boundaries to Agha Salman in the same over before getting out to him. Samarawickrama was dismissed courtesy of Abdullah Shafique who took an incredible catch at short fine leg. Sri Lanka were now 175-6. Dhananjaya continued his brilliant batting, who reached his 2^nd 50+ score of the match. Dhananjaya and Ramesh Mendis continued Sri Lanka’s resistance till Tea. Sri Lanka’s lead was now just 61 runs.

3^rd Session – Day 4 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – 2023

Sri Lanka resumed their innings after tea with 210-6 on board. Both batsmen continued to put on runs on the board and added 76 runs for the partnership of 7^th wicket. Mendis was the man to fall to Abrar after he tried to sweep him but missed. Prabath Jayasuriya was the next man into the crease.

New Ball was taken after 80 overs after which Shaheen Afridi came to bowl. He delivered in the very first over when he was brought on and dismissed the danger man, Dhananjaya on 82, just when he was setting eyes on his 2^nd century of the match. Shaheen dismissed Dhananjaya after conceding two consecutive boundaries, with extra bit of seam movement which kissed the edge of the bat and nicked it behind where Sarfaraz took simple catch. Sri Lanka were now 269 for 8.

Shaheen Afridi took another wicket by dismissing Jayasuriya in his next over for 10 runs. Shaheen bowled a slower one which deceived Jayasuriya completely and gave a simple catch to Shan at extra cover. Sri Lanka’s last wickets. Abrar finished Sri Lankan innings by dismissing Rajitha who ballooned a single catch to Shan. Sri Lanka’s last three wickets fell after adding just 10 runs to the team’s total and were all out for 279. Dhananjaya top scored with 82, followed by Madushka with 52 and Mendis with 42. For Pakistan, Abrar and Noman took 3 wickets each whereas Shaheen and Salman took 2 wickets each. Sri Lanka set a target of 131 to Pakistan to win the first test match.

Pakistan Innings – Day 4 – 1^st Test – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – 2023

Pakistan had to bat 15 overs till the end of the day. But given Pakistan’s unpredictable nature, anything could happen. And it did happen. Pakistan lost its first wicket on 16 when Abdullah Shafique was caught behind on bowling of Jayasuriya after scoring 8 runs. Next man in was Shan Masood. Sri Lankan’s had managed to create pressure to which Shan succumb and gave away his wicket to Jayasuriya after scoring just 7 runs. Pakistan’s total was now 36-2.

Next man in was the Night-Watch man, Noman Ali, to see off the remaining overs of the day. However, Noman was run out after Imam called him for 2^nd runs on the last ball of 13^th over, which was completely unnecessary as Imam should have kept the strike for the next over. Noman departed for a duck as Pakistan were now 38 for the loss of 3 wickets. In came the skipper, Babar Azam to see off the remaining 3 overs of the day. Babar Azam survived an appeal as Sri Lankans decided to revive an LBW call, which was however, no way close to out.

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Pakistan managed to end the day with 48 for 3 on board, requiring another 83 runs on the last day of test match. Sri Lankans were able to maintain pressure on Pakistan in the last hour of the day by taking 3 wickets. Nevertheless, Pakistan will be setting their eyes on 1-0 lead when they came to bat tomorrow whereas Sri Lanka will look to inflict an unbelievable victory on Pakistan by taking the remaining 7 wickets.

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FAQs

1. What was the score and situation at the start of Day 4 in the 1st Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2023?

– Sri Lanka resumed their innings on Day 4 at 14-0, and they were looking to complete a trail of 149 runs.

2. Who were the key bowlers for Pakistan in the first session of Day 4, and how did they make an impact on Sri Lanka’s batting lineup?

– Abrar Ahmed and Noman Ali were key bowlers for Pakistan in the first session. Abrar took the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne, and Noman Ali dismissed Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews, putting pressure on Sri Lanka.

3. What significant partnerships and individual performances were witnessed during the second session of Day 4?

– During the second session, Sri Lanka lost wickets, including Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya De Silva. Agha Salman and Abdullah Shafique played key roles in dismissing Sri Lankan batsmen.

4. How did Sri Lanka’s innings progress in the third session, and who were the key bowlers for Pakistan in this session?

– Sri Lanka added runs during the third session, with Dhananjaya De Silva being the standout performer with 82 runs. Shaheen Afridi took important wickets, including Dhananjaya De Silva, as Sri Lanka’s innings came to an end at 279.

5. What was the target set by Sri Lanka for Pakistan to win the first Test match, and how did Pakistan’s innings fare at the end of Day 4?

– Sri Lanka set a target of 131 runs for Pakistan to win the first Test match. Pakistan’s innings at the end of Day 4 was 48 for the loss of 3 wickets, requiring another 83 runs for victory on the last day of the test match.