The first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan finally began on Thursday after the rain gods showed mercy, though it did rain initially for about two hours.
The match referee and the two captains Angelo Mathews and Misbah ul Haq came out for the toss. The visitors won the toss and looking at the overcast conditions, chose to bowl first.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva came out to open the Lankan innings. The ball was moving around a little during the early overs. Pakistani pacers Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz did trouble the two openers.
Yasir Shah dropped Silva while he was batting on 6. Karunaratne was caught off a no-ball from Wahab Riaz but later got out to the same bowler when he was on 21.
After Karunaratne's dismissal, Silva and Kumar Sangakkara steadied the Lankan innings. They were involved in a 112-run partnership. Kumar Sangakkara scored his 52nd Test half century on Day 2. But shortly thereafter, he was caught by Younis Khan from a good delivery by Riaz. Soon after Sangakkara got out, Lahiru Thrimanne too followed him to the pavilion.
Silva played flamboyantly and remained not out on 80. Skipper Angelo Mathews was also at the crease along with him. At stumps, Sri Lanka were 178 for 3.
Day 3 of the first Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be interesting as Pakistan would look to take few more Lankan wickets in the first session to put pressure on the hosts. If Silva and Mathews manage to stay put at the crease, they can score enough runs and transfer the pressure on to the visitors.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 178 for 3 in 64 overs (Kaushal Silva 80*, Kumar Sangakkara 50; Wahab Riaz 51 for 2).
