SL vs PAK | 1st Test | Day 1 | Pakistan holds edge after dismantling Sri Lanka for 222

The opening day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Galle saw the visitors dismiss the hosts for 222.

Former Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal displayed a gritty showing with the bat, top scoring with 76, while Shaheen Shah Afridi was the stand-out bowler for the visitors, registering a 4-for on Day 1.

At stumps, Pakistan were 24 for 2, still trailing Sri Lanka by 198 runs.

Sri Lanka rattle openers

Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam ul Haq added just 12 runs before Kasun Rajitha snatched the wicket of the latter.

Imam's footwork looked indecisive against Rajitha, which eventually led to his dismissal.

Former skipper Azhar Ali joined Shafique in the middle. The duo toiled hard for 51 deliveries to deny inroads, but it was spinning sensation Prabath Jayasuriya who drew blood.

Jayasuriya caught Shafique on the front foot, nabbing him for 13.

Skipper Babar Azam came out with just five overs remaining for the day.

Azhar (3*) and Azam (1*) survived the final few overs taking Pakistan to safety at 24 for 2, still trailing Sri Lanka by 198 runs.

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The story of the first innings

Opting to bat after winning the toss, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne lost his wicket in the third over. An inside edge off Afridi rattled the left-hander's woodwork, who was batting on 1.

Kusal Mendis showed some resistance but fell victim to Yasir Shah trying to cut the ball after scoring 21.

The Lankan collapse begins

Opener Oshada Fernando, who looked settled during his 49-ball stay, nicked a delivery from Hasan Ali straight into the hands of keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Yasir Shah got the better of the experienced Angelo Mathews. Mathews, in a rare moment of adrenaline, attempted to loft Shah and gifted his wicket away for zero. With this, Shah went past former Pakistan spinner Abdul Qadir’s tally of 236 Test wickets.

Afridi picked up his second wicket in the post-lunch session, getting hold of Dhananjaya de Silva. Adding to his ever-growing list of wickets, Afridi struck down Niroshan Dickwella as well.

However, Agha Salman should be credited for this wicket as the debutant grabbed a remarkable catch fielding at gully.

Chandimal, along with Ramesh Mendis ensured the score crossed the 100-run mark. Naseem Shah's ploy to bowl from round the wicket worked well, dismissing Mendis, who handed a simple catch trying to pull the ball.

Jayasuriya added just three runs before becoming Mohammad Nawaz's first scalp.

Rearguard action

Amidst all the chaos at the other end, 32-year-old Chandimal registered his 22nd Test fifty in 83 balls.

With just two wickets remaining, Chandimal took charge and started dealing in boundaries, adding 44 runs with Maheesh Theekshana for the ninth wicket.

Just three overs into the final session, Chandimal fell for 76, giving Hasan his second wicket.

Theekshana, along with Rajitha, frustrated Pakistan bowlers, meandering Lanka’s total past 200, which at one point looked unachievable.

The pair stitched a 45-run tenth wicket stand before Theekshana fell to Afridi, scoring a valuable 38.

Rajitha (12) remained unbeaten as the Sri Lankan innings closed on 222.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 222 all out in 66.1 overs

Dinesh Chandimal 76, Maheesh Theekshana 38

Shaheen Shah Afridi 58/4

Pakistan 24/2 in 18 overs

Abdullah Shafique 13 , Azhar Ali 3*

Prabath Jayasuriya 2/1

Sri Lanka lead Pakistan by 198 runs