GALLE, Sri Lanka: An unbroken 91-run stand for the third wicket between Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis steadied the second innings as Sri Lanka reached 132 for two at lunch on Day 3 of the first cricket test against Pakistan, building an overall lead of 136 runs.
The only batter dismissed in the morning session Monday was night-watchman Kasun Rajitha, who was adjudged LBW to Mohammad Nawaz in the second over.
Playing in place of Pathum Nissanka, who is recovering after testing positive for COVID, Fernando struggled initially against spin but settled down to post his sixth test half-century.
He was unbeaten on 64 at the lunch interval and Mendis was not out on 45.
Fernando, who has faced 123 deliveries, hit six fours and one lofted six against leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
The Spinners have had lot of assistance from the Galle wicket, but the Sri Lankan batters appeared to be comfortable on the surface after playing their last five home tests at this venue due to COVID-19 bubbles.
Sri Lanka’s top order had collapsed in the first innings, with Dinesh Chandimal salvaging a decent total with a half-century to bail them out. The second innings as been a far more assured performance from Sri Lanka’s top-order lineup.
Pakistan conceded a four-run lead in the first innings, with Babar Azam’s 119 helping the visitors reach 218. The next-best score in Pakistan’s first innings was Mohamad Rizwan’s 19.
The economic and political crisis engulfing Sri Lanka also impacted the cricket series, with the venue for the second test — scheduled to start next Sunday in Colombo — switched to the southern coastal city of Galle because of logistical challenges.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced the decision on Monday after deciding not to take any chances with potential political protests in the capital.
The venue switch was confirmed around the time Ranil Wickremesinghe, who became acting President last week after Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled abroad and resigned after months-long mass protests over the country’s economic collapse, declared a state of emergency.
Protests are likely to intensify as Parliament is set to choose a new President later this week.
Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst economic crisis since independence, with severe shortages of essential items such as fuel, cooking gas and medicine.
Cricket has offered a small distraction for local fans of the sport, with the Sri Lankan team finishing off an extended tour by Australia with a big, series-leveling win in a test match at Galle last week.
Fernando, Mendis keep Sri Lanka steady against Pakistan
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Fernando, Mendis keep Sri Lanka steady against Pakistan
- Sri Lanka’s top order collapsed in the first innings, though Dinesh Chandimal bailed them out with a half-century
- Pakistan conceded a four-run lead in the first innings, with Babar Azam’s 119 helping the visitors reach 218
Pakistan PM to visit Qatar today to explore trade, investment, energy cooperation
- Shehbaz Sharif to lead high-level delegation comprising deputy premier, senior ministers and officials on two-day visit
- Sharif to meet Qatari amir, discuss economic collaboration, regional and global developments, says Pakistan’s foreign office
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Qatar today, Monday, for a two-day visit to the country during which both sides will explore new avenues of cooperation in trade, investment, energy and manpower export, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Sharif will visit Qatar from Feb. 23-24 at the invitation of Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the foreign office said. The Pakistani premier will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as well as other ministers and senior officials.
Sharif is expected to meet the Qatari amir during his visit and review bilateral ties, political engagement, economic collaboration, energy partnership and people-to-people exchanges, it added.
“The two sides will also explore new avenues of cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, energy, infrastructure development and manpower export,” the statement said.
The foreign office said Sharif’s visit will provide both leaderships an opportunity to exchange views on regional and global developments, reaffirming their resolve to work closely for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Pakistan enjoys robust trade and investment relations with Qatar. In 2022, the Qatari amir’s office said that the Qatar Investment Authority aims to invest $3 billion in Pakistan to support the South Asian nation’s cash-strapped economy. This investment would focus on Pakistan’s transport, civil aviation, education, health, culture, media, communications, information technology and labor sectors, the amir’s office said.
Qatar is also host to almost 300,000 Pakistanis, which is a large part of the country’s total population, according to Pakistan’s foreign office. Qatar employs a large number of Pakistanis in the health, education, engineering, finance and public service sectors.
A large number of semi-skilled and unskilled Pakistani work force also dominate the construction and transport sectors of Qatar. Pakistan’s efforts to expand employment opportunities for its skilled labor in Qatar have led to both sides signing several memoranda of understanding and letters of intent over the years.
The two nations also promote bilateral cooperation through several forums such as the Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC), Joint Ministerial Commission, Joint Business Council and Working Group on Trade & Investment.
Qatar was also instrumental in easing tensions by hosting talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in October last year, after both sides were involved in fierce border clashes that killed several and wounded dozens.
