Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal’s unbeaten 86 put Sri Lanka in a commanding position in the first Test against Pakistan as they finished 9-329 on the third day in Galle.
The Comfortable lead of 333 runs:-
Sri Lanka have a comfortable lead of 333 runs and should feel happy as no team has chased down so many people to win a Test match at this ground.
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The most successful run chase in Galle is 4-268 by Sri Lanka against New Zealand in 2019.
Former captain Chandimal, who was the top scorer in the first innings with 76 runs, was once again stitching crucial partnerships for Pakistan’s side with the tail.
Chandimal did 121 balls with five fours and two sixes:-
He completed his 23rd half-century with a single to cover Naseem Shah. Chandimal ended the day in 121 balls with five fours and two sixes. Prabhat Jayasuriya was at number four.
The 32-year-old Chandimal is in good shape after scoring his maiden double century against Australia last week as Sri Lanka registered a win against the world’s top-ranked team.
Pakistan had a chance to dismiss Chandimal for 68, but Hasan Ali took a comeback catch. Pakistan also unsuccessfully reviewed a leg-before knockout against him.
Sri Lanka lead by 40 runs with nine wickets in hand:-
The game was equally poised when the day began with Sri Lanka taking a 40-run lead with nine wickets in hand.
Protests are likely to intensify with Sri Lanka’s parliament calling for a new president to be elected later this week.
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Both the teams will now stay in the southern coastal city of Galle after the first Test in the series-outside, with Galle hosting their fourth Test after back-to-back matches against Australia.
The hotel in Colombo, built to host both the cricket teams, is close to the Presidential Palace which has been taken over by the protesters.
