Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Reactions to Shaheen Shah Afridi reaching 100 Test wickets | Shaheen reaches 100 Test wickets after return from injury
The first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan has already confirmed that we may have a close series on our hands.
Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah bowled in tandem to kick off proceedings after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat at Galle. Less than 15 minutes into the game, Shaheen got his 100th Test wicket as he got the better of Nishan Madushka. Soon after that, he also got Kusal Mendis with a delivery angling away from the batter.
It was a sweet moment for Shaheen as he had to wait an entire year to go from 99 to 100 Test wickets. Also, it was at this very venue where he picked up an injury last time around.
The pace bowling duo bowled excellent lengths in their first spells. They consistently tempted the batters and got the ball to move. Shaheen looked in much better rhythm, while Naseem was a bit unlucky as a few edges and chances went begging.
However, the one man they did not seem to have answers for was Dhananjaya de Silva. At the end of the day’s play, the batter remained unbeaten needing six more runs to get to his 10th Test century. At 242-6, Sri Lanka would go into the dressing room as the happier side, especially after the start Pakistan got.
On a Galle pitch that will only deteriorate, Sri Lanka would be more than happy to get to 280 or even 300.
SL vs PAK 1st Test day 1 reactions – Shaheen 100 wickets, Dhanajaya nears ton
Pakistan’s great left-armer, Wasim Akram, tweeted “Congratulations Shaheen Afridi on your 100 Test wickets, just one of the many milestones to come… Keep going strong!”
Here is how Twitter reacted to Shaheen reaching 100 Test wickets and Dhananjaya closing in on a ton.
