Pakistan end 365-day winless streak where they last won
Imam's unbeaten 50 steers visitors in a slightly tense and cloudy morning in Galle
16/07Result
1st Test, Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka at Galle, Jul 16-20 2023
-
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
312 & 279 -
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
461 & 133/6 (32.5 ov)
Player of the Match
16/07Result
1st Test, Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka at Galle, Jul 16-20 2023
-
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
312 & 279 -
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
461 & 133/6 (32.5 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 5
Day 4
Dhananjaya and Jayasuriya give Sri Lanka a fighting chance
Pakistan are favourites chasing 131 for victory, but they were three down at stumps on the fourth day
Has shoddy fielding let Sri Lanka down? Yes, says assistant coach
On the other hand, Pakistan have been super sharp with their catching and Agha Salman points out they've made fielding a priority
Pakistan promise final-day aggression despite early losses
Sri Lanka's assistant coach Naveed Nawaz, meanwhile, felt too many of his batters failed to capitalise on starts
Day 3
Shakeel double ton and Agha Salman resistance leads Pakistan's recovery
Ramesh Mendis' five-for could not prevent Pakistan from racking up 461 after struggling at 101 for 5
Unshackled Shakeel switches seamlessly between slow-burn and turbo
He dug in when needed, but also displayed skill and nous to go in an exhilarating direction
Day 2
Shakeel and Agha Salman hit attacking fifties to snatch the momentum back for Pakistan
Sri Lanka, who were in the driver's seat with Pakistan 101 for 5 in reply to their 312, will need quick wickets on the third morning to bounce back
Dhananjaya de Silva lining in Sri Lanka's far-from-elite batting line-up
He's cool and his batting is easy on the eye, but he's also developing a habit of scoring tough, ugly runs
Pakistan turn on the gas to play Test cricket at turbo speed
"The last Test cycle gave us a big reflection... we weren't scoring at such a high rate as our opposition," says Shan Masood
Day 1
Dhananjaya and Afridi the stars of an action packed day in Galle
Galle had it all - the return of an ace speedster, a thrilling fightback and a wicket off the last ball
The fast bowling poetry of Naseem and Afridi
They haven't played together often but seeing them operating in tandem on a famously spin-friendly pitch was nothing short of spectacular
Others
Is Test cricket having its Pakball moment?
It's like that other thing but not entirely, and it may only last until its first failure, but it's making an eminently watchable team even more watchable
Shaheen Afridi returns to Galle after year of misery and joy
A year after his freak injury, Shaheen is back playing Test cricket as Pakistan search for a win after four losses and two draws
Sri Lanka, Pakistan get a chance to test progress a year on in Galle
While Sri Lanka have played six of their last eight Tests in Galle, Pakistan's form in the longest format will be their biggest concern
