Follow UsAfter winning the toss, a confident Sri Lanka opted to bat first in the ongoing first Test against Pakistan. But the hosts were blown to smithereens immediately, with Shaheen Afridi removing the Sri Lankan skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne for just 1.
At 60/3, the hosts were in deep trouble but with Dinesh Chandimal at the crease, there was plenty of hopes in the dressing room. Chandimal, who earned the No.5 position back after his double century against Australia, put on a very important show with a 115-ball 76.
Despite his 44-run partnership with Maheesh Theekshana, Chandimal rued the missed opportunity for Sri Lanka to score 300.
"Not happy with what we did. If we had got to 300 we could have been happy. But we can catch up if we bowl right tomorrow and we have an opening to bounce back,” said Chandimal.
Chandimal himself has made multiple comebacks for the national team over the last few years. The wicketkeeper-batter insisted that a player has to be ‘mentally strong’ to be playing Test cricket.
"You have got to be mentally strong if you are playing Test cricket,” Chandimal added.
"I have been out of the side at times. That makes me stronger. You have to score runs to remain in the side. So I thought about the technique and how to keep myself not distracted and grab the opportunity when it came."
2022 has been Chandimal’s best year since 2017, with 524 runs, at an average of 104.80. The right-hander stated that he was happy with the way he has contributed to the team’s cause in the past two innings.
"You need help during those tough times. I get a lot of support from my family, my wife, coaches, team mates and my friends. I am glad I got that," he said.
"When you are down you need support like that. If people are criticising it's difficult. We don't want to fail and we need support. Happy that I contributed."