[Watch] Bizarre Interruption As Monitor Lizard Halts Play In SL Vs AFG Test
Monitor lizard entered the field on Day 2 of SL vs AFG Test (Twitter)
In an unusual turn of events that bemused cricket fans worldwide, the play was momentarily paused during the second day of the one-off Test match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, not due to the common disruptors like rain or bad light, but because of an unexpected guest: a monitor lizard.
SL vs AFG: Monitor lizard's interruption led to a brief delay
The reptilian intrusion on the field quickly became the talk of the town, with images and videos spreading like wildfire across social media platforms, sparking a flurry of amused reactions from spectators and online audiences alike.
This bizarre occurrence is not the first of its kind in Sri Lanka's cricket history. In January 2021, a similar incident took place during the third day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in Colombo, where a giant lizard was spotted near the boundary lines as it briefly stole the spotlight from the ongoing game.
Coming to the ongoing Test in Colombo, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that bore fruit as they managed to bowl out Afghanistan for a modest total of 198. Rahmat Shah was the standout performer for Afghanistan, scoring 91, but the day belonged to the Sri Lankan bowlers. Vishwa Fernando led the charge with an impressive haul of four wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya supported him well, bagging three wickets each, showcasing a collective effort from the host's bowling unit.
In response, Sri Lanka exhibited a commanding performance with the bat, quickly surpassing Afghanistan's total. Opener Dimuth Karunaratne set the tone with an attacking half-century, providing the hosts with a solid start. The experienced Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal then took over, with Mathews playing a crucial innings of 52 not out alongside Chandimal, who is batting on 35, propelling Sri Lanka to a strong position at 227/3 after 53 overs.