Dinesh Chandimal hits a defiant half-century

Dinesh Chandimal, fresh of a marathon effort worth a double hundred against Australia, was once again Sri Lanka’s best batter in an otherwise ordinary batting performance against Pakistan. Chandimal’s unbeaten 68 played a pivotal role in taking Sri Lanka to 166 by Tea on the opening day of the first Test at Galle.

Chandimal, who was largely cautious in approach, brought up his fifty with three consecutive boundaries off Naseem Shah after Sri Lanka were in danger of being bundled out quickly. The collapse, which was triggered in the morning, continued well in the second session as Pakistan dominated the proceedings.