Atapattu mindful of spin factor
Coach Marvan Atapattu is expecting spinners Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera to have a major impact on the remainder of Sri Lanka's first Test against Pakistan in Galle.
Coach Marvan Atapattu is expecting spinners Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera to have a major impact on the remainder of Sri Lanka's first Test against Pakistan in Galle.
Pakistan's decision to bat first brought a total of 261 for four on day one, built on the back of an undefeated century from the veteran Younis Khan and a complementary half-ton from the talented Asad Shafiq.
Perera toiled for 15 expensive overs without a wicket, while Herath was key in removing the right-hander Azhar Ali and visiting captain Misbah-ul-Haq on either side of the lunch break.
"The moisture dried up and it became easy to bat out there. I think we have done well to keep them down to 261, but a lot still remains to be done. This is a wicket that usually plays well on the first two days, but spin is going to be a factor later in the match," said Atapattu.
Younis and Shafiq will resume on 133 not out and 55 not out respectively on Thursday. This Test is stalwart Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene's last at the Galle International Stadium. He will retire from the longest format of the international game after the two-match series.
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