GALLE: Sri Lanka all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva moved 16 runs within his ninth Test century after Dimuth Karunaratne’s dismissal to strengthen the command of the hosts as they mount a massive lead of 444 runs at the Lunch on Day 4.
The home side, resuming at an overnight score of 176/5, enjoyed a delightful session as they added 121 runs for the loss of two wickets in the opening session of the fourth day.
Sri Lanka captain Karunaratne and all-rounder de Silva showed no signs of rusting as they carried the momentum to give their side a solid start at the commencement of the day.
The duo appeared solid and neutralized the threat posed by the Pakistan bowlers and added 67 runs before Nauman Ali made his first scalp to remove Karunaratne, who scored 61 off 105 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.
Right-handed batter de Silva, on the other hand, looked unaffected from the dismissal as he joined hands with the tailender Dinuth Wellalage to put on an important 35-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Wellalage displayed grit in the course of his outstanding 18-run knock but Mohammad Nawaz removed him via a caught behind and caused the hosts to slip at 278/7.
Pakistan bowlers then remained unable to pounce on the breakthrough as the hosts added a further 19 runs before the Lunch break to finish at a commanding 297/7.
All-rounder de Silva remained the top-scorer for his side with an unbeaten 84 while Ramesh Mendis scored eight not-out.
For Pakistan, Nawaz and Nauman could only strike out a batter each.
READ: New dates announced for rain-hit first round of National U19 Championship
The post Dhananjaya eyes century as Sri Lanka extend lead to 444 at Lunch appeared first on ASports.tv.
from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/anQjSf8