Sri Lanka began day trailing Pakistan with an overall overnight lead of 149 runs. The Sri Lankans went back without losing a wicket. Sri Lanka had scored 312 in the first innings as Dhananjaya De Silva scored a century and Angelo Mathews supported him with a half century. In reply, Pakistan scored 461 thanks to 208 not out from the bat of Saud Shakeel and half century from Agha Salman. Ramesh Menids picked five wickets with the ball to register his 5th five wicket haul.
Babar Azam takes one handed stunning catch –
Angel Mathews was not out on 7 off 20 balls with one four to his name. That’s when the former Lankan skipper poked at a ball from Noman Ali. The ball took a thick edge as it flew toward Babar Azam who was standing in the slip. The Pakistan skipper dived in time to take the catch in a one handed effort to dismiss Mathews out for 7.
Sri Lanka lose half their side –
Dimuth Karunaratne the Sri Lankan skipper was out for 20 off 27 balls when he when he to Abrar Ahmed caught by Agha Salman. Noman Ali got his 1st wicket when he got the wicket of Kusal Mendis for 18.
Post the wicket of Mathews, Pakistan got the big wicket of Nishan Madushanka for 52 off 115 balls with 7 fours and a six when he fell to Noman Ali caught behind. Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya De Silva then added 60 runs for the 5th wicket. Agha Salman was got the wicket of Chandimal who was out for 28 off 64 balls with 3 fours.
Asia Cup schedule to be announced today –
In other news, the schedule for the 2023 edition of Asia Cup will be announced today at 7.45 PM IST. The first four games of the series will be played in Pakistan, while Sri Lanka will host the rest of the tournament. The reason for this is because India has declined to tour Pakistan. India and Pakistan are in one group with Nepal and are scheduled to play each other in the 2nd half of the tournament.
— Spider Rashid (@RashidSpider) July 19, 2023
What a catch by Babar Azam, tremendous grab by skipper at slip, absolutely brilliant! It was a length ball around off, Mathews presses forward to defend but but turned away, takes the edge & goes quickly to the left and baber takes a blinder. #PAKvsSL #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/V9p7UhDEj3
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) July 19, 2023
Babar Azam take a beautiful catch 👆 😍#PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/NqHdlGf8Q1
— Furqan Akram (@iamfurqan59) July 19, 2023
Babar Azam on the field 🥳❤️
— SUMMI ⁵⁶🕊 || BA56𓃵 STAN || Madhiazzzz Day 🎂 (@itss_Sumii) July 19, 2023
Outstanding Catch 🔥#BabarAzam𓃵 pic.twitter.com/JSnQvIaP6G
Brilliant catch from Babar azam❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥#BabarAzam𓃵 pic.twitter.com/ac83HOS1B6
— Mashal (@Mashal_071) July 19, 2023