Sri Lanka scored 315 for 6 on the first day of the second Test at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday, thanks to half-centuries from Fernando and Chandimal.
Oshada Fernando, Sri Lanka's opener, and captain Dimuth Karunaratne made sure the team got off to a comfortable start by continuing their strong batting performances. The hosts reached 36/0 in 12 overs during the tranquil first hour. Both batters got loose after gaining confidence and produced a few spectacular shots to increase Sri Lanka's scoring rate.
Fernando moved closer to reaching his sixth Test fifty at a faster pace than the other player. He hit the landmark with a six over mid-on, but he was out the very next ball, ending the 92-run opening stand.
Kusal Mendis (3) was out of the crease at the non-end striker's three overs later when the bowler deflected the ball against the stumps, resulting in an unfortunate run-out. After lunch, Sri Lanka on 96/2 was invited.
Karunaratne too ran out of steam after lunch. After the lunch break, he was dismissed off Yasir Shah in less than six overs after attempting a reverse sweep and misfiring to backward point, where Naseem Shah held onto a fine catch diving forward. As he has been doing lately, Dinesh Chandimal entered the game and assisted Mathews in reviving Sri Lanka's innings.
The seasoned team got to work, negotiating a strike and proceeding steadily. There were no demons on the field and not much turn was available. With easy, the duo brought up their 50-year position and persisted. On 36, Mathews was given a break when Babar Azam dropped him while providing extra cover off Nauman Ali. At 181/3, Sri Lanka sat down for tea.
With the seasoned duo of Mathews and Chandimal performing admirably, Pakistan urgently needed wickets.
After tea, Nauman Ali provided a critical breakthrough, so they got exactly what they wanted. Rizwan successfully grabbed a wonderfully flighted delivery that had drifted in before turning sharply to get a small edge off Mathew's bat. Finally, the 75-run stand was broken.
However, Chandimal persisted in playing excellent cricket, reaching his half-century while receiving respectable assistance from Dhananjaya de Silva. He played some sharp strokes against Yasir and was quite harsh. However, his aggressive nature would ultimately get the better of him as a failed wild slog against Nawaz led to his demise. As Chandimal stepped back for 80, Fawad Alam pounced on the opportunity at the backward point.
Then, a peach from Naseem Shah rattled the middle stump and sent de Silva back for 33, giving Pakistan the victory. On run number 23, Babar dropped another catch, this time in the slips, giving Niroshan Dickwell a respite.
Dickwella, along with Wellalage, would see through the remainder of the day, as Sri Lanka headed to stumps at 315/6.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 315/6 (Dinesh Chandimal 80, Oshada Fernando 50; Mohammad Nawaz 2-71) vs Pakistan.