Watch: Four, four, wicket – Shaheen Shah Afridi wins second new-ball battle with seaming beauty
Watch: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Dhananjaya de Silva were involved in a high-octane battle with the second new ball, with two consecutive boundaries followed by the batter’s wicket on day four at Galle.
Pakistan had established a strong position in the first Test against Sri Lanka, largely thanks to a double century from Saud Shakeel, which had given them a big first innings lead. They struck regularly in reply, but would still have wanted to see off De Silva – the No.6 made a century in the first innings, and with the lead creeping into three figures, the prospect of a tricky run chase on a surface known to take turn against a team with a strong spin attack would have been daunting.
The tourists took the second new ball at the earliest possible opportunity with Sri Lanka seven down in an attempt to finish things off quickly, but the hard, fresh ball can also be an opportunity to score, and De Silva pulled and then drove Shaheen for four.
The left-arm quick, playing his first Test in 12 months, responded with a beauty, which nipped away to take the outside edge on its way to the keeper.
The innings was wrapped up soon after, with Shaheen fooling Prabath Jayasuriya with a slower ball, and Abrar Ahmed claiming No.11 Kasun Rajitha.
Chasing 131 to win, Pakistan went to stumps on 48-3, with a tantalising final morning in store.
