Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka batters put team in commanding position on day one

The first day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan saw the hosts showcasing a spirited performance on an otherwise eventful day that saw them post well in excess of 300 runs on the board. While the Pakistani bowlers showed great enthusiasm in accounting for more than half of the Lankan side, they failed to contain their middle-order in the last half-an-hour of the day’s play.

Sri Lanka have wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella to thank as his vital knock ensured that the hosts did not suffer any further damage and he single-handedly took the attack on the Pakistani bowlers. Dickwella found good support in Dunith Wellalage (6*) who showed great determination in holding on to the other end firmly like a rock.

Sri Lanka dominate on the first day

Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to bat first. The hosts got off to a good start with Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando adding 92 runs for the opening stand before the latter was dismissed for 50. Karunaratne scored 40 and looked to rebuild the innings along with Angelo Mathews before he was dismissed.

When Mathews was sent back for a well-made 42, Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother at 195/4 before the middle-order duo of Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva carried out the rescue act adding 63 runs for the fifth-wicket stand. Chandimal showcased yet another consistence performance scoring 80 runs off 137 balls and found good support in Dhananjaya who contributed with 33.

When the duo was dismissed, it opened up the floodgates for the visitors to make a comeback, but before they could rattle the rest of the batting lineup, Niroshan Dickwella challenged them and ensured that the Lankans lost no more wickets for the rest of the day. He and Dunith Wellalage made the Pakistani bowlers toil hard for wickets. While Dickwella played some smart cricket and also attacked when the situation demanded, Dunith showcased his defensive abilities by refusing to allow the bowlers to breach his defense. Sri Lanka’s scorecard read 315/6 at stumps with Niroshan Dickwella unbeaten on 42.

Here is how Twitter reacted to play on day one between Sri Lanka and Pakistan