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
At least 13 civilians killed in Pakistan strikes in Afghanistan, UN says
- Pakistan said it launched the strikes after blaming recent suicide attacks on militants operating from Afghan territory
- The reported toll adds to fears of a renewed cycle of retaliation between the neighbors, threatening a fragile ceasefire
ISLAMABAD/KABUL: At least 13 civilians were killed and seven injured in Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, the United Nations said on Monday, as cross-border tensions escalated following a string of suicide bombings in Pakistan.
The reported toll adds to fears of a renewed cycle of retaliation between the neighbors, threatening a fragile ceasefire along their 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier and further straining ties as both sides trade blame over militant violence.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it had received “credible reports” that overnight Pakistani airstrikes on February 21–22 killed at least 13 civilians and injured seven in the Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid earlier reported dozens killed or wounded in the strikes, which also hit locations in Paktika province. Reuters could not independently verify the reported toll.
Pakistan said it launched the strikes after blaming recent suicide attacks, including during Ramadan, on militants operating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan’s information ministry in a post on X said the “intelligence-based” operation struck seven camps of the Pakistani Taliban and Daesh (Islamic State) Khorasan Province and that it had “conclusive evidence” the militant assaults on Pakistan were directed by “Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers.”
Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing militants to use Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan.
The strikes took place days after Kabul released three Pakistani soldiers in a Saudi-mediated exchange aimed at easing months of tensions along the border.
Afghanistan’s defense ministry condemned the strikes and called them a violation of sovereignty and international law, saying an “appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time.” The Afghan foreign ministry said it had summoned Pakistan’s ambassador.
In a statement on the February 21-22 strikes, Afghanistan’s education ministry said eight school students; five boys and three girls, were killed in Behsud in Nangarhar province, and one madrasa student injured in Barmal in Paktika province, adding that dozens of other civilians were killed or wounded and educational centers destroyed. Reuters could not independently verify the information.
The latest strikes follow months of clashes and repeated border closures that have disrupted trade and movement along the rugged frontier.
