Pakistan’s spinners displayed their prowess as Sri Lanka’s Nishan Madushka stood firm amidst the loss of three wickets on day four.
The picturesque Galle stadium witnessed a delayed start due to a damp playing area, leading to lunch being taken with the hosts at 94-3 in their second innings.
Noman Ali, along with fellow spinner Abrar Ahmed, made significant contributions by claiming two and one wicket(s) respectively. However, Madushka and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne provided a strong start with an opening stand of 42.
During Abrar’s leg-spin attack, Karunaratne was caught at midwicket for 20, bringing an end to Sri Lanka’s brisk beginning. Noman Ali secured another breakthrough by dismissing Kusal Mendis for 18 through an lbw decision, despite the batsman’s unsuccessful review.
Noman struck yet again when former captain Angelo Mathews fell for seven, caught brilliantly by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam at slip.
In the Pakistani camp, middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel stole the limelight with his unbeaten first-innings score of 208, achieving his maiden Test century. His remarkable knock propelled Pakistan to a total of 461 all out on day three, providing them with a valuable lead of 149 runs in response to Sri Lanka’s 312.
As the match progressed, rain interruptions persisted, and further rainfall is predicted for day four.
