Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Match Highlights 2023

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Match Highlights 2023. The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is currently underway at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The hosts Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. However, they were soon reduced to 82 for 5. Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq then put on a partnership of 176 for the sixth wicket to take the score to 258. Sri Lanka then took the second new ball and bowled Pakistan out for 302. In reply, Sri Lanka was reduced to 43 for 3, but Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal then put on a partnership of 158 for the fourth wicket to take the score to 201. Sri Lanka then lost their last seven wickets for just 101 runs to be all out for 302.

1. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Match Highlights 2023

The first Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was played in Abu Dhabi from October 16-20, 2023. Sri Lanka batted first and were all out for 419 runs in their first innings, with opener Dimuth Karunaratne top-scoring with 158. In reply, Pakistan were all out for 373 runs, with Asad Shafiq top-scoring with a patient century. Sri Lanka then batted again and were all out for 240 runs, setting Pakistan a target of 316 runs to win. In reply, Pakistan reached the target with three wickets to spare, with Shafiq again top-scoring with an unbeaten century.

2. Pakistan secures victory in first test match against Sri Lanka

Pakistan secured victory in the first test match against Sri Lanka by a margin of 9 wickets. The match was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and was the first test match between the two countries in over a decade. Sri Lanka batted first and were all out for 419 in their first innings, with opener Dimuth Karunaratne top-scoring with 158. In reply, Pakistan reached 636/3 declared, with Azhar Ali scoring a double century and opener Abid Ali scoring a century. Sri Lanka were then bowled out for 247 in their second innings, setting Pakistan a target of 40 runs to win. Pakistan reached the target with ease, losing just one wicket, as they won the match by 9 wickets. This is Pakistan’s first test series victory against Sri Lanka in over 10 years.

3. Sri Lanka’s batting line-up collapses against Pakistan’s bowling attack

Sri Lanka’s batting lineup collapsed against Pakistan’s bowling attack in the first Test match between the two countries. Sri Lanka were all out for just 96 runs in their first innings, with Pakistan’s bowlers taking full advantage of the conditions.

The collapse started early for Sri Lanka, with opener Dimuth Karunaratne being dismissed for just 2 runs. This brought skipper Angelo Mathews to the crease, but he could only muster 7 runs before he was also sent back to the pavilion.

At this point, Sri Lanka was in big trouble at 19/2. Things only got worse from there, as the rest of the batsmen failed to make any significant contribution. Lahiru Thirimanne was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with just 20 runs, as the rest of the batsmen were all dismissed for single-digit scores.

Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by pacer Mohammad Abbas, who took 5 wickets for just 19 runs. Abbas was well supported by the rest of the bowlers, as Pakistan bowlers wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings in just 36.3 overs.

In reply, Pakistan got off to a good start, reaching 50/1 at lunch. However, the Sri Lankan bowlers fought back in the second session, taking 3 quick wickets to reduce Pakistan to 73/4.

But, just like in the first innings, Pakistan’s batsmen dug deep and fought their way back into the game. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq steadied the ship with a well-built partnership, taking the score to 154/4 at stumps.

The two batsmen will look to continue their partnership on day 3, as Pakistan looks to build a big lead. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will need to bowl out Pakistan cheaply in order to have any chance of getting back into the game.

4. Pakistan’s openers give the team a solid start

Pakistan’s opening batsmen gave the team a solid start in the first Test against Sri Lanka. The top four batsmen all scored half-centuries, with Azhar Ali leading the way with a superb century.

This is the first time Pakistan has had four batsmen score 50-plus in the first innings of a Test since 2003, and it is a sign that the team is in good form ahead of the series.

It was a tough day for the Sri Lankan bowlers, who struggled to make breakthroughs. The Pakistani batsmen were patient and played some good shots to score runs.

The Sri Lankan fielding also let them down, as they dropped a number of catches. This allowed the Pakistani batsmen to score more runs than they would have otherwise.

At the end of the day’s play, Pakistan were in a strong position and will be looking to build on their lead in the second innings.

5. Sri Lanka’s bowling fails to make an impact

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Match Highlights 2023

The first Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a dramatic draw, with the Lankans surviving some late nerves to cling on.

The match was evenly poised heading into the final day, with Sri Lanka holding a slender lead of just 13 runs. But with Pakistan’s strong bowling line-up, the Lankans knew they would have to fight hard to stay in the game.

And so it proved, as the Pakistan bowlers put in a spirited performance on the final day. They took regular wickets, and at one stage had Sri Lanka reeling at 9- down.

But the Lankan tailenders dug in, and with some help from the weather, they managed to hang on for a draw.

It was a disappointing result for Pakistan, who will feel they should have won the match. But credit must go to the Sri Lankans for their fighting spirit, and in particular the tailenders, who showed great character to save the game.

6. Pakistan takes a 1-0 lead in the series

Pakistan took a 10-run lead in the first Test against Sri Lanka on the back of a brilliant performance with the bat by Azhar Ali. The experienced batsman scored an unbeaten century in the second innings to lead his side to a comfortable victory.

It was a see-saw battle throughout the match with both sides taking turns to take the lead. Sri Lanka looked to be in the driving seat after bowling out Pakistan for a paltry total in the first innings. However, Pakistan bounced back strongly in the second innings to set a challenging target for the visitors.

Sri Lanka’s batting collapsed in the chase and they were eventually all out for a below-par score. This loss would have come as a big shock to the Sri Lankan team which was expected to do well in this series.

Pakistan will now look to build on this momentum and take an unassailable lead in the three-match series.