Sri Lanka score 315 for 6 on opening day

ICCGalleSri Lanka batters failed to convert their starts into big scores as the hosts ended day one of the second Test in Galle at 315/6 on Sunday.Sri Lanka opted to bat first and opener Oshada Fernando continued his good form with the bat and along with captain Dimuth Karunaratne ensured that Sri Lanka were off to a comfortable start. The first hour was a quiet one with the hosts reaching 36/0 in 12 overs. After gaining confidence both batters broke free and hit a couple of stunning shots to push Sri Lanka’s scoring rate. Fernando was the faster of the two as he inched towards his seventh Test fifty. He got to the milestone with a six over mid-on but was immediately dismissed on the next ball, breaking the 92-run opening stand.Three overs later, Kusal Mendis (3) departed due to an unfortunate run-out as he was out of the crease at the non-striker’s end when the bowler diverted the ball onto the stumps. Lunch was then taken with Sri Lanka on 96/2.Karunaratne could not last long after lunch either. In less than six overs after the lunch break, he was out off Yasir Shah while attempting a reverse sweep and ending up mishitting the ball to backward point, where Naseem Shah held onto a sharp catch diving forward. Dinesh Chandimal walked in and continuing his recent purple patch, joined Mathews to help revive Sri Lanka’s innings. The pair brought up their half-century stand with ease and continued to persevere. Mathews got a reprieve on 36 when he was dropped by Babar Azam at extra cover off Nauman Ali. Sri Lanka went to tea at 181/3.The new ball then did the trick for Pakistan, as Naseem Shah rattled the middle stump to send de Silva back for 33. Niroshan Dickwell got a reprieve on 23, with Babar dropping another catch, this time in the slips. Dickwella, along with Wellalage, saw through the remainder of the day, as Sri Lanka headed to stumps at 315/6.