SL vs PAK: Niroshan Dickwella executes MS Dhoni-like stumping to dismiss Imam-ul-Haq

Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella stunned a well-set Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq with a lightning-fast stumping on the fourth day of the first Test match at the Galle International Stadium. The stumping was reminiscent of the legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni.

Imam’s wicket at that point was a vital breakthrough for Sri Lanka as the visitors had got off to a good start while chasing a stiff target of 342. Both Imam and Abdullah Shafique had added 87 runs for the opening stand before Dickwella’s masterpiece ended the stand that was threatening to take the match away from Sri Lanka.

Niroshan Dickwella stumps Imam-ul-Haq within a blink of an eye

The incident happened in the 29th over of Pakistan’s chase. On the penultimate delivery, Ramesh Mendis bowled a good length to the left-handed Imam and the ball turned awkwardly away from him after pitching. While he had no clue about the ball as it beat his defence, Dickwella had already collected it cleanly.

Things looked fine until Imam lifted his back foot and Dickwella smartly dislodged the bails. There was a huge appeal from the Sri Lankans, and the matter was referred to the third umpire. The replays showed that Imam’s back foot was in the air, and he was declared out. Imam went back to the pavilion scoring 35 runs off 73 balls.

Watch the dismissal here: 

However, that dismissal did not allow the Sri Lankans to relax in any manner as Abdullah Shafique and skipper Babar Azam made things difficult for the bowlers. The duo added 101 runs for the third wickets before Azam was dismissed for a well-made 55.

Meanwhile, Shafique, after reaching a superb century, continued to keep his team in complete control in the run chase and found good support in wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan are on the verge of a famous win. They went at 222/3 at the close of play on Day 4.