As it was first ever day-night test for Sri Lanka, it was a special occasion for players, and their fans as well. Also, It was an extra special day for two debutants, Sadeera Samarawickrame and Lahiru Gamage, whom their childhood dreams came thru. It was an even more special day for the XI men chosen to play in Sri Lanka’s first ever pink ball, day-night test, historical day of Sri Lanka Cricket. But, Dimuth Karunaratne made sure that it will go down in the history books as one of his days.
Not many people had liked the idea of it when ODI’s were first played as day-night matches in 1977 during Kerry Packer’s ”World Series Cricket”. Like ODI’s evolved and survived around the concept of day-night matches, Pink ball test matches could well be the future of test cricket. Hence, first day’s play between ongoing test match has produced few unique Sri Lankan records, which will be mentioned and talked for years.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka decided to face the pink ball first. Dimuth Karunaratne played the first delivery against the pink ball in Sri Lankan history. His opening mate, Kaushal Silva, unfortunately, happened to be the first from the country to get out to the pink ball, when he edged a rank half volley from Yasir Shar to Sarfaraz. But Karunaratne, who had hit a little pink patch of his own in the late, having averaged 49.91 over the last 12 months, was hungry for more. He sent the 27th delivery of the match to the boundary playing a trademark flick off the pads, becoming the first Sri Lankan to hit a four in day-night test cricket.
After Kaushal Silva felt, Debutant Sadeera Samrawickrama walked in at number three. Having made a name for himself among Sri Lanka fans in U-19 World cup, having made the same fans wait for so long after a million run 2016 domestic season, Sadeera showed glimpses of his capability in his 35-ball 38. He was arrogant and busy in his cameo both against pace and spin. He gladly accepted the honor of becoming the first Sri Lankan to hit a pink ball six, depositing Yasir Shah over long off. He was out playing an agricultural flick off Amir after a delightful batting display. Kusal Mendis, the other young talent, perished soon playing a poor shot early in the innings. He is badly in need of a big inning and especially an injection of confidence.
After been run-out for 93(not his fault) in the first innings of the first match, after wrongly given out(not his fault) and not reviewing in his favorite second inning, Dimuth was in no mood to give it up this time around. Karunaratne also was in no mood to give up the chance of becoming the first Sri Lankan to made a pink-ball test century. He settled into the day watchfully, quite rightly so, playing first-ever pink ball test. He moved on to 20 quite swiftly off the 33rd ball he faced with Pakistani bowlers being friendly enough to send him enough leg side deliveries. Having blessed with a Legendary Saffer Opener Graeme Smith like technique, Dimuth was more than happy to flick those all day. If Karunaratne was positive in Abu Dhabi, he was aggressive in this innings. He came down the track to Yasir Shah regularly to negate any spin.
The Sri Lankan opener played sweep and Reverse-sweeps regularly to upset Shah’s lengths. He was not ready to let it go unpunished when Shah errored either. He moved to his 50 off the 84th delivery he faced becoming the first-ever Sri Lanka to do so against the Pink Ball.
After Sadeera’s spark of brilliance, Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets shortly after lunch, leaving them 136 for three. Lights came out. The Pink ball had just started to do some tricks. Mohammad Amir was pumped up after the wicket. Wahab Riaz was hustling in like he always does. Yasir Shah was itching for a wicket. All the signs of a Sri Lankan collapse, something very familiar to Sri Lankan fans in the last couple of years, were on the cards. To his credit, Dimuth understood the importance of his wicket and geared down. His next 50 runs came in 114 deliveries. When Karunaratne reached his 7th test century, Sri Lanka’s first-ever Pink Ball test hundred, the flawless and near-perfect innings was only a testimony to the hard yards he had put on throughout years. He was in total control all the day and sound of the ball hitting his bat was crisp as you heard in a long time from anyone. Captain Chandimal gave Karunaratne good support with another tuk-tuk like innings of unbeaten 49.
Despite already writing his name in the history books few times in the day, from facing the first pink ball delivery for his country to scoring the first four, half-century and century against the Pink Ball for his country, Karunaratne managed to stay unbeaten at the end on 133. Having made two 150-plus scores in test career, and looking at the form he is in, this is once in a lifetime opportunity for Karunaratne to make his maiden test double-hundred and become the first Sri Lankan player to reach the figure since Kumar Sangakkara in New Zealand back in 2014/2015.
Karunaratne was in no mood to give it up today. It did not seem like he will give it up either, At least until he finished his duty of playing the last delivery of the day. If Dimuth reaches the magical figure tomorrow, that will be a giant step in his career. But, more importantly, it will be the solid foundation for another Sri Lankan test win. Hence, Sri Lanka’s first away series win since the epic England tour of 2014.
