Sri Lanka and Pakistan are currently contesting in the first of the two Tests they would be playing in the current series. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. Dhananjaya de Silva’s century and Angelo Mathews’s half-century helped the hosts put up 312 before being bundled out by the Pakistan bowling attack. The trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed scalped three wickets each.
In reply, Pakistan are finding it hard to break through the home team’s consistent bowling. They have scored 132 for the loss of five wickets at Tea on Day 2, trailing by 180 runs. Among the five wickets that fell, star batter Babar Azam’s dismissal gained the most traction on social media. He could only score 13 off 16 before edging Prabath Jayasuriya’s delivery for Samarawickrama to complete a routine catch.
‘We are prepared and ready for the challenge’ – Babar Azam
Contrastingly, Babar Azam sounded confident ahead of the match. His ambition could be sensed in the way he addressed the media before the game. “Really excited to be back in the red-ball format and all eyes are on the Galle Test as we are prepared and ready for the challenge. We are taking one step at a time, but we have to be consistent across all formats,” he stated.
“One of the positives going into the Galle Test is that 13 of our players were here 12 months ago. Abrar Ahmed has identified himself as a good option in our combination. I am sure this tour will be a good learning curve for him as we have high hopes from him in this and future series,” Babar added.
After the first day’s play, Babar was also quoted heaping praise on Shaheen Afridi for his dazzling display. “I am particularly pleased with the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi. Besides his wicket-taking abilities, his presence always motivates and lifts the side. I know Shaheen has badly missed red-ball cricket and is now hungry for Test cricket,” he said in a video on Cricket Pakistan Twitter.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Zimbabar ko zimbawe bhejo
— Aryan Tiwari (@aryanti95297822) July 17, 2023
My Barbie Azam is 🐐
— ~Astha Pathak (@trynafindashhh) July 17, 2023
No flat (highways of paxtan) pitches no party! 😂😂
— Meghna Singh (Maggie ⭐) (@Who_Meghna_S) July 17, 2023
🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/4We1D5NjDg
— Groot 🚩 (@IAmGrootX18) July 17, 2023
Ling Dabar pic.twitter.com/orwpwJIOYM
— Anubhav (@incognito_ffs) July 17, 2023
Jab subcontinent me ye haal hai.. to bahar kya hga.. 🔔 ka king ka.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Aditya (@aditya10on9) July 17, 2023
Feeling Sad for Fab 4 day-dreamers 😕
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) July 17, 2023
I mean they cant win in sri lanka
They cant win at home
Its been 2 years they last won test series..oh god..self claimed best team and best bowlers— Rahul Verma (@RahulVe06359104) July 17, 2023
