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SL vs PAK: Day 4 Ends in Pakistan's Favour; Victory Looms With 83 Runs Required on Last Day

image-lk9qga5bPakistan bowlers bowled splendidly on Day 4 (Twitter)

As the dust settles on Day 4 of the first Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the Men in Green are in pole position to secure a win. Sri Lanka's dismissal for just 279 runs on the penultimate day set Pakistan a winning target of just 131.

Ending the fourth day with a score of 48/3, Pakistan needs just 83 more runs on the concluding day to snatch a victory and take a 1-0 in the two-match series.


Sri Lanka's early flourish met with swift Pakistani response

The morning session saw Sri Lankan openers, Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka, establishing a robust start with a flurry of boundaries. However, Pakistan’s spin bowler, Abrar Ahmed, altered the course of the game with his breakthrough delivery that dismissed Karunaratne (20), courtesy of a spectacular diving catch by Agha Salman.


Noman Ali strikes as Sri Lanka's innings sputters

Stability returned to Sri Lanka's innings with a measured stand from Madushka and Kusal Mendis. But Noman Ali, broke through their defenses, sending Mendis (18) and Angelo Mathews (7) back to the pavilion in quick succession. Madushka’s resilience ended on a bitter note as he lost his wicket to Noman soon after celebrating his half-century.


Sri Lanka's counter-attack and fall of wickets

The game witnessed a resurgence as Dhananjaya and Chandimal, Sri Lanka's fifth-wicket pair, counterattacked with a blend of aggression and precision. Their fruitful 50-run partnership ended abruptly as Agha Salman snagged Chandimal (28), a dismissal followed quickly by Sadeera Samarawickrama’s (11) departure, thanks to an astonishing one-handed diving catch by Abdullah Shafique.

Subsequently, Ramesh Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva shouldered the responsibility, adding a crucial 35 runs to Sri Lanka's lead before the tea break. The post-tea session saw the duo push the lead to 102, but their stand ended with their dismissals to Abrar and Shaheen Afridi. Tailenders Prabath Jayasuriya and Kasun Raitha, perished soon, resulting in Sri Lanka getting bowled out for 279.


Rocky start to Pakistan's run chase

With a target of 131 runs, the visitors had an unsteady start to their innings as Prabath Jayasuriya sent Shafique back to the pavilion in the seventh over for eight. In quick succession, Jayasuriya struck again, taking out Shan Masood for seven.

A runout saw nightwatchman Noman depart for a duck, bringing Babar Azam to the crease. Imam-ul-Haq, who remained unbeaten on 25, along with Babar Azam, still at the crease with 6, ensured Pakistan wrapped up Day 4 at 48/3 after 15 overs.


Final day expectations

Facing the challenge of scoring another 83 runs on the final day, Pakistan will have to rely on their batsmen to seal this tense contest. Should Sri Lanka manage to claim a few early scalps on Day 5, they could force their way back into this tightly-fought match.


Brief Scores

Sri Lanka (1st innings): 312-10 (95.2)

Dhananjaya de Silva 122 (214), Angelo Mathews 64 (109)

Abrar Ahmed 3-68 (31.2), Shaheen Afridi 3-86 (24)

Pakistan (1st innings): 461-10 (121.2)

Saud Shakeel 208* (361), Agha Salman 83 (113)

Ramesh Mendis 5-136 (42.2), Prabath Jayasuriya 3-145 (35)

Sri Lanka (2nd innings): 279/10 (83.1)

Dhananjaya de Silva 82 (112), Nishan Madushka 52 (115)

Abrar Ahmed 3-68 (24.1), Noman Ali 3-75 (25)

Pakistan (2nd innings): 48/3 (15)

Imam-ul-Haq 25* (45), Abdullah Shafique 8 (18)

Prabath jayasuriya 2-17 (6), Vishwa Fernando 0-6 (2)

Pakistan need 83 runs.