There are few teams that face Sri Lanka and manage a win in spin fortress Galle. But Pakistan did just that and reversed the trend in the southern coastal town with a four-wicket win in the first Test, leaving the hosts battling to level the two-match series.
The tourists surprised the Sri Lankans with their attacking batting – even when 101-5 in the first innings, they kept the scoring rate at five runs an over.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second Test that starts on Monday, Pakistan head coach Grant Bradburn said that his team’s long-term target is to become the top-ranked team. Pakistan are currently ranked sixth and a 2-0 series win will help to close the ranks on fifth-place New Zealand.
“We want to keep improving our skills. We are growing all the time,” Bradburn said. “We want to be No 1 in the world and to do that we want to have players in the top-10 ranks for bowlers and batters. We are very happy with the way we played in Galle. Now that chapter is over. This venue is a different examination.”
Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club grounds will host the next match, and it's a venue known as being batting-friendly.
Sri Lanka’s batters looked comfortable against spin so Pakistan will look at bolstering its pace attack. Both Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi troubled the Sri Lankans in the opener with extreme pace.
Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood is demanding improvement in all three departments from his team after a disappointing show in Galle. Sri Lanka’s batting collapsed twice in the game and, if not for Dhananjaya de Silva’s 122 and 82, they would have fared much worse.
Sri Lanka’s seamers were ineffective while the spinners were wayward. Two dropped catches off Pakistan's double centurion Saud Shakeel also proved to be costly as the hosts looked underprepared.
“There are certain areas I have pushed harder. We need to improve a few things and fielding is certainly one of those,” Silverwood said. “If you analyse the last test, we fell short in all three departments and we are seeking improvements moving forward.”
Seamer Asitha Fernando has been added to the squad and he is expected to feature in the game. Pakistan are set to field an unchanged side.
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
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Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
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ICC T20 Team of 2021
Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi
Wednesday's results
Finland 3-0 Armenia
Faroes Islands 1-0 Malta
Sweden 1-1 Spain
Gibraltar 2-3 Georgia
Romania 1-1 Norway
Greece 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy
Switzerland 2-0 Rep of Ireland
Israel 3-1 Latvia
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
'Nightmare Alley'
Director:Guillermo del Toro
Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
Rating: 3/5
