In a gripping display of spin bowling, Noman Ali proved to be the wrecker-in-chief as Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble on the fourth day of the second Test against Pakistan. Losing five wickets during the middle session and adding just 62 runs, the Sri Lankan batting lineup is reeling at 143 for 6, still trailing by a substantial 267 runs.
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Noman wasted no time in asserting his dominance after the lunch break. In the second over of the session, he claimed the crucial wicket of Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne, with a sharp catch taken by Imam-ul-Haq at short leg. The misery continued for Sri Lanka as Kusal Mendis attempted a positive stroke but ended up giving away his wicket, spooning a catch to cover, and departing for a mere 14 runs.
Dinesh Chandimal, trying to find a way to break the shackles, fell prey to Noman’s guile and precision as the ball looped off his glove to short leg, becoming Noman’s fourth victim. With just 109 runs on the board and four wickets down, Sri Lanka was on shaky ground, and their woes were further compounded by a failed review.
Amidst the carnage, Angelo Mathews showed resilience, keeping the scoreboard ticking with well-timed boundaries. His aggression paid off as he scored four runs straight down the ground against Noman, who had previously dismissed the Sri Lankan captain in the same over. Mathews continued to display a positive approach despite Noman’s brilliance, having accounted for four of the top-five Sri Lankan batters.
On the other hand, Dhananjaya de Silva adopted a more cautious strategy. Noman’s accurate bowling, coupled with the Pakistani pacers generating reverse swing, created a challenging environment for the Sri Lankan batsmen. Naseem Shah, in particular, bowled four consecutive maiden overs, keeping the pressure on.
However, Mathews found a way to pierce through the tight fielding and registered boundaries at regular intervals, displaying his experience. Unfortunately, de Silva’s patience ran thin, and he gifted his wicket to the visitors with an ill-advised slog across the line, caught at deep-ish mid-on. Noman Ali earned his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests, further cementing his reputation as a formidable spinner.
Sadeera Samarawickrama, determined to avoid a pair, took a chance with an expansive drive. Yet, his efforts were in vain as Noman’s spin and bounce undid him swiftly. The Pakistan team, having dominated the game thus far, is now aiming to swiftly wrap up the Test and secure a series victory with a commanding 2-0 scoreline.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the match, with Noman Ali’s exceptional performance firmly placing Pakistan in the driver’s seat. As Sri Lanka grapples to stage a comeback, cricket fans eagerly await the final moments of this gripping Test encounter.
