SL vs PAK: Both teams eye crucial win in 2nd Galle Test

• Pakistan and Sri Lanka will do everything to win the final Test.
• Sri Lanka’s Maheesh is out due to a finger injury.
• Pakistan’s Shaheen is out due to an ankle injury.

SL vs PAK: Sri Lanka, led by Dimuth Karunaratne, will aim to rebound in the second Test commencing on Sunday against an energetic Pakistan side coming off a morale-boosting victory.

However, the tourists have suffered an injury to pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was instrumental in Wednesday’s four-wicket triumph.

Sri Lanka has played six consecutive Tests at the Galle International Stadium since November, with varied fortunes at the stadium over the past three weeks.

In the first of two Tests against Australia at the ground earlier this month, the hosts lost in three days on a brutal turner, then won on a different wicket to tie the series 1-1.

Even on the final two days, when Asian pitches typically flip, there was little assistance for the spinners on the field for the first Test against Pakistan.

“There was a big difference in the wicket we played against Australia and here,” Sri Lanka vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva said.

“Normally on a Galle pitch the fourth and fifth days don’t help the batsmen.”

Prabath Jayasuriya has distinguished himself since his debut in the second Australia Test, where he took 12 wickets.

In the first Test of this series, he took a total of nine wickets against Pakistan, which he used to bamboozle them.

However, de Silva, an all-rounder who bowls off-spin, remarked that Jayasuriya received little assistance from the other end against Pakistan.

“Only Prabath bowled a consistent line and length and we leaked runs from the other two spinners,” said de Silva.

“It is difficult to keep a tight field when you are leaking runs from one side.”

Maheesh Theekshana’s finger injury means de Silva may play a bigger role with the ball with Ramesh Mendis and Jayasuriya.

Pathum Nissanka has returned to the team after contracting Covid during the second Australia Test.

Due to political unrest in Sri Lanka, the venue was moved from Colombo to Galle. It is the hosts’ penultimate Test of the season; their next red-ball series is in March in New Zealand.

“Remain optimistic”

“We will stick to our strengths and as batsmen remain positive,” he said.

The visitors used Abdullah Shafique’s undefeated 160 to chase down a record 342 on the fifth and final day of the match. The victory handed them a 1-0 series advantage.

Shafique has 720 runs in 11 innings after six Tests, trailing only Sunil Gavaskar (912 from 12), Don Bradman (862 from 12), and George Headley (730 from 12).

Pakistan, who rely on their quicks to get early wickets even on subcontinental pitches that turn, will be hampered by Shaheen’s knee injury absence.

“Pakistan has always produced fast bowlers and they have also won matches on flat tracks,” said Azam, who went with three quicks, including Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah, in the first match.

“But let’s see, we will sit and discuss before the next match what combinations to play.”

Pakistan could add left-arm orthodox bowler Nauman Ali to strengthen their spin assault, among other potential adjustments.

Both teams will be vying for crucial World Test Championship points, with Pakistan sitting third and Sri Lanka sixth in the standings.

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