PAK v SL, 2nd Test, Day 1 Review: Karunaratne's ton keeps Sri Lanka on top

Sri Lanka aims a historic series win in Pakistan’s adopted home as they begin the second Test on a positive note at the Dubai International Stadium, Dubai. Dimuth Karunaratne once again stepped up for his side and grabbed a scintillating century on a track which didn’t favour the batsmen much. The hosts failed to do anything remarkable as their unbeaten record in UAE and Dubai heads towards an end.

After winning the toss and batting first, Kaushal Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne faced the new ball music quite bravely. Mohammad Amir, who is inching closer towards 100 Test wickets, did give a tough time to the batsmen but failed to reap any benefits. The duo added 63 runs for the first wicket and just before the first session came to a close, Silva was dismissed by Yasir Shah.

Debutant Sadeera Samarawickrama made quite a significant impact in the little time he spent in the crease. Facing 35 balls, the 22-year-old 38 runs spanking 5 fours and one six. Such innings might be game changers in the shorter versions, but a lot more is expected from a number 3. Nevertheless, the debutant fine little effort was put to bed by Mohammad Amir.

Karunaratne remained a spectator when Samarawickrama kept going and he also completed a well-compiled half-century. After Samarawickrama’s wicket, Pakistan got another present soon as Kusal Mendis plays a rash shot off Yasir Shah, which went straight to the hands of the slips courtesy a thick outside edge. Sri Lanka was struggling a bit they found themselves at 136 for the loss of 3 inside 38 overs.

Chandimal-Karunaratne to the rescue, again!

Just the way it happened in the first Test, Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Karunaratne added a fantastic partnership for the 4th wicket, which kept the Islanders on command and frustrated Sarfraz and co to the fullest. Chandimal picked up exactly where he left in the first innings of the first Test and looked rock solid with his defensive approach.

Karunaratne gave nothing away as well and the Sri Lankan scoreboard kept ticking slowly and steadily. The fast bowlers tried to test his backfoot technique with some hasty short balls, but the 29-year-old was patient enough to wait for his delivery and used the pull shot to good effect. They somehow batted the second session out and ensured there was no more damage caused to them.

In the final session of this enthralling game, the visitors played top quality cricket, a little reminiscent of the old Lankan side who always showed great character facing adverse situations. Karunaratne notched his 7th Test match hundred with a boundary down to the third man region and the southpaw ensured his side was fully in control of the game.

Pakistan‘s fast bowlers, who put in so much effort in the early stages of the game, lost their touch in the final few overs of the game and this helped their counterparts to snatch some runs at a brisk pace. Chandimal scored two boundaries in the penultimate over of the day and almost got to his half-century.

But he remained unbeaten on 49 as Karunaratne played out the final over without rotating the strike. Karunaratne will continue at 133 off 281 balls on day 2 and this partnership has thus far accounted 118 runs for the 4th wicket. The hosts will need early wickets to stay alive in the game and if that doesn’t happen, an embarrassing series defeat will be on cards.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka first innings: 254/3 in 90 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 133*, Dinesh Chandimal 49*; Yasir Shah 2/90)