Dhananjaya de Silva played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 94 as Sri Lanka bounced back from an early collapse to reach 242-6 at stumps on a rain-affected day one of the first Test against Pakistan. The partnership between de Silva and Angelo Mathews (64) proved crucial, adding 131 runs after Sri Lanka had stumbled to 54-4 in the opening session, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking three wickets on his Test return.

Mathews praised Afridi’s exceptional bowling performance, stating, “On a challenging pitch like this, I haven’t seen many bowlers perform the way Shaheen did. He was brilliant today (Sunday).” He added, “The wicket had some movement, which allowed the bowlers to seam and swing the ball. Quality bowlers hitting the seam on such a pitch.”

De Silva held his ground during an extended final session in Galle, even after losing his partner Sadeera Samarawickrama, who contributed 36 runs to their 57-run partnership. Samarawickrama was dismissed by Agha Salman’s spin bowling. Play was called off for the day due to rain interruptions that resulted in the loss of 24.2 overs.

De Silva showcased elegant stroke play, executing delicate cuts, drives, and pulls, accumulating 10 fours and three sixes, one of them helping him reach his fifty. However, he slowed down in the final hour of play as he approached what could have been his 10th Test century in his 50th match.

Mathews, playing his 105th Test, achieved his 39th half-century in Test cricket. The partnership between Mathews and de Silva appeared comfortable until leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed dismissed Mathews caught behind just before tea.

The Sri Lankan team found themselves in trouble during the first session, which was delayed by an hour due to rain. Shaheen, in his 26th Test, reached the milestone of 100 Test wickets upon his return from injury when he had Nishan Madushka caught behind for four in his second over. The talented 23-year-old had previously injured his knee at the same venue a year ago.

Rain interrupted play again in Galle, but upon resumption, Shaheen claimed another wicket by dismissing Kusal Mendis for 12. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne fought back with some boundaries but was eventually caught behind by Shaheen for 29 while attempting a glance down the leg side.

Fast bowler Naseem Shah joined the action, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for one with a quick delivery, which was expertly caught by skipper Babar Azam at third slip.

Pakistan’s head coach, Grant Bradburn, expressed his satisfaction with the performance of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, stating, “Shaheen Afridi and Naseem had to put in a special effort on what was a batting-friendly wicket. They responded exceptionally well today.” He added, “I’m very pleased with our position in the match at the moment. It is nicely poised for tomorrow morning, and the new ball is not far away.”

The players infected with corona are all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, pacer Asita Fernando, and spinner Jeffrey Vandersay.

According to a report in Cricinphone, the management tested the entire Sri Lankan team for COVID-19 after learning about the illness. Three people were reported positive on Wednesday.  Star all-rounder Angela Mathews left the field on the third day after being covid-19 positive in the first Test in Galle.

After this, left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama was attacked. However, with Mathews recovering from isolation, there is a possibility of getting him in the second Test.