Oshada Fernando and Lahiru Thirimanne led a Sri Lankan fightback as the tourists reached 255 for four in their second innings, a lead of 153, at close of play on the third day of the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua on Tuesday.

With the other Fernando in the team, fast-medium bowler Visha, doing just what was required in the taking the last two West Indies first innings wickets at the start of the day to dismiss the home side for 271, it was the fluent middle-order batsman Oshada who starred with an innings of 91 in a 162-run second wicket partnership with Thirimanne.

Fernando, in just his eighth Test, came to crease in the fifth over of the innings when his captain Dimuth Karunaratne, failed for the second time in the match, driving loosely at Kemar Roach to give John Campbell a straightforward catch at third slip.&nbsp;

The 28-year-old Fernando was given a life on 17 when he was dropped at leg-slip by Jason Holder off off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall but looked assured throughout his innings which spanned 149 deliveries and included 11 fours.

Fernando appeared destined for a second Test hundred until West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, in what was either a moment of inspiration or desperation, brought on Kyle Mayers as his seventh bowler of the innings.

The occasional medium-pacer met with instant success as Fernando pushed at his first ball, a full-length delivery just outside off-stump, and edged a catch to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva.

Mayers then removed Dinesh Chandimal in almost identical fashion two overs later.&nbsp;

When Roach returned for another spell and bowled the obdurate Thirimanne for 76 to follow his first innings top score of 70, Sri Lanka were wobbling at 189 for four.

Just when the West Indies might have sensed a chance to sweep away the rest of the Sri Lankan batting, Dhananjaya de Silva and debutant Pathum Nissanka featured in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 66 and will resume on the fourth morning seeking to extend their overall lead beyond 250 to give themselves a fighting chance of pulling off a come-from-behind victory.

"I think this is a good batting pitch because it has flattened out nicely," said Mayers in assessing the day’s toil, even with his double-strike.&nbsp;

"They had the upper hand today but the game is still evenly poised.

"We just need to pick up two early wickets (on the fourth day) and things can look very differently."

Earlier, West Indian hopes of extending their 99-run overnight lead ended in the second over of the day when Vishwa Fernando bowled Cornwall for a top score of 61 and then trapped last man Shannon Gabriel leg-before without scoring.

Suranga Lakmal missed out the tail but ended with career-best Test innings figures of five for 47, an improvement on the fast-medium bowler's previous best of five for 54 against New Zealand in the Boxing Day Test in Christchurch in 2018.

Oshada Fernando and Lahiru Thirimanne led a Sri Lankan fightback as the tourists reached 255 for four in their second innings, a lead of 153, at close of play on the third day of the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua on Tuesday.

Oshada Fernando and Lahiru Thirimanne led a Sri Lankan fightback as the tourists reached 255 for four in their second innings, a lead of 153, at close of play on the third day of the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua on Tuesday. With the other Fernando in the team, fast-medium bowler Visha, doing just what was required in the taking the last two West Indies first innings wickets at the start of the day to dismiss the home side for 271, it was the fluent middle-order batsman Oshada who starred with an innings of 91 in a 162-run second wicket partnership with Thirimanne. Fernando, in just his eighth Test, came to crease in the fifth over of the innings when his captain Dimuth Karunaratne, failed for the second time in the match, driving loosely at Kemar Roach to give John Campbell a straightforward catch at third slip. The 28-year-old Fernando was given a life on 17 when he was dropped at leg-slip by Jason Holder off off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall but looked assured throughout his innings which spanned 149 deliveries and included 11 fours. Fernando appeared destined for a second Test hundred until West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, in what was either a moment of inspiration or desperation, brought on Kyle Mayers as his seventh bowler of the innings. The occasional medium-pacer met with instant success as Fernando pushed at his first ball, a full-length delivery just outside off-stump, and edged a catch to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva. Mayers then removed Dinesh Chandimal in almost identical fashion two overs later. When Roach returned for another spell and bowled the obdurate Thirimanne for 76 to follow his first innings top score of 70, Sri Lanka were wobbling at 189 for four. Just when the West Indies might have sensed a chance to sweep away the rest of the Sri Lankan batting, Dhananjaya de Silva and debutant Pathum Nissanka featured in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 66 and will resume on the fourth morning seeking to extend their overall lead beyond 250 to give themselves a fighting chance of pulling off a come-from-behind victory. "I think this is a good batting pitch because it has flattened out nicely," said Mayers in assessing the day’s toil, even with his double-strike. "They had the upper hand today but the game is still evenly poised. "We just need to pick up two early wickets (on the fourth day) and things can look very differently." Earlier, West Indian hopes of extending their 99-run overnight lead ended in the second over of the day when Vishwa Fernando bowled Cornwall for a top score of 61 and then trapped last man Shannon Gabriel leg-before without scoring. Suranga Lakmal missed out the tail but ended with career-best Test innings figures of five for 47, an improvement on the fast-medium bowler's previous best of five for 54 against New Zealand in the Boxing Day Test in Christchurch in 2018.

Battling Fernando leads Sri Lanka fightback in first Test

Pakistan celebrated the return of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Dimuth+Karunaratne">Test cricket</a> for the first time in over 10 years with a convincing 263-run win over Sri Lanka in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Dimuth+Karunaratne">second test </a>in Karachi on Monday, taking the series 1-0.

It took just 14 minutes and 16 balls for Pakistan to wrap up the win on the fifth morning as they took Sri Lanka's last three wickets without any addition to their overnight 212.

Pakistan had set a daunting 476-run target on Sunday and reduced the tourists to 212-7 at the close.

Teenage quick bowler Naseem Shah at 16 years and 307 days became the second youngest bowler to take five wickets in a Test innings as he bowled an express spell to finish with 5-31.

Fellow Pakistani and left-arm spinner Nasim-ul-Ghani holds the record and was just four days younger when he completed the feat against the West Indies at Georgetown in a 1957-58 series.

Naseem was aged six when international cricket was suspended in Pakistan following an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

Pakistan was forced to play all their home matches at the neutral venues of United Arab Emirates before improved security allowed them to begin hosting limited-over series over the past four years.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/karachi-test-day-1-pakistan-batsmen-fail-to-grab-initiative-against-lanka-269218">first test of the series</a> in Rawalpindi marked the return of Test cricket in Pakistan, but it ended in a draw after being spoiled by bad weather.

Pakistan skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/our-pride-has-been-hurt-says-azhar-ali-after-losing-test-series-against-australia-266799">Azhar Ali</a> thanked Sri Lanka for their part in allowing Test cricket to return.

"Special thanks to Sri Lanka from the bottom of our hearts," said Azhar. "They have given us immense happiness by playing in Pakistan, it was pretty emotional."

"Naseem is a special talent and we can build on our bowling attack in the years to come."

Sri Lankan skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/suranga-lakmal-to-miss-sri-lankas-tour-of-pakistan-due-to-dengue-267040">Dimuth Karunaratne</a> praised Pakistan.

"We dominated the first two days and then they batted very well and put pressure back on us and outplayed us. We couldn't build pressure with the ball despite taking a lead of 80," said Karunaratne.

Pakistan turned the match on its head with a huge second-innings 555-3 declared on Sunday, with 174 from man-of-the-match and man-of-the-series Abid Ali, 135 from Shan Masood, 118 from Azhar and 100 not out from Babar Azam as the top four all reached three figures.&nbsp;

Abid had also scored a hundred in the first Test.

The final day began in a dramatic manner when Naseem dismissed Lasit Embuldeniya off the first ball, catching his gloves on the way to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

From the other end leg-spinner,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brisbane-test-australia-beat-pakistan-by-an-innings-and-5-runs-264221">Yasir Shah</a> had Oshada Fernando caught in the slip for his overnight score of 102 after a 180-ball knock that contained 13 boundaries.

Naseem wrapped up the match by trapping Vishwa Fernando with the fifth ball of the next over, triggering jubilation among the Pakistan players who were all playing in their first Test series at home.

It is Pakistan's first series win at home against Sri Lanka since 1992.&nbsp;

The win lifts Pakistan to third in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-new-zealand-spearhead-boult-a-doubt-for-first-test-267610">World Test Championship</a> table with 80 points. Pakistan got 60 points from the win and 20 from the first Test draw.

India (360) and Australia (216) are currently first and second. Nine teams are competing in the Championship, with the top two contesting the final in June 2021.

Pakistan celebrated the return of Test cricket for the first time in over 10 years with a convincing 263-run win over Sri Lanka in the second test in Karachi on Monday, taking the series 1-0.

Pakistan celebrated the return of Test cricket for the first time in over 10 years with a convincing 263-run win over Sri Lanka in the second test in Karachi on Monday, taking the series 1-0. It took just 14 minutes and 16 balls for Pakistan to wrap up the win on the fifth morning as they took Sri Lanka's last three wickets without any addition to their overnight 212. Pakistan had set a daunting 476-run target on Sunday and reduced the tourists to 212-7 at the close. Teenage quick bowler Naseem Shah at 16 years and 307 days became the second youngest bowler to take five wickets in a Test innings as he bowled an express spell to finish with 5-31. Fellow Pakistani and left-arm spinner Nasim-ul-Ghani holds the record and was just four days younger when he completed the feat against the West Indies at Georgetown in a 1957-58 series. Naseem was aged six when international cricket was suspended in Pakistan following an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009. Pakistan was forced to play all their home matches at the neutral venues of United Arab Emirates before improved security allowed them to begin hosting limited-over series over the past four years. The first test of the series in Rawalpindi marked the return of Test cricket in Pakistan, but it ended in a draw after being spoiled by bad weather. Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali thanked Sri Lanka for their part in allowing Test cricket to return. "Special thanks to Sri Lanka from the bottom of our hearts," said Azhar. "They have given us immense happiness by playing in Pakistan, it was pretty emotional." "Naseem is a special talent and we can build on our bowling attack in the years to come." Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne praised Pakistan. "We dominated the first two days and then they batted very well and put pressure back on us and outplayed us. We couldn't build pressure with the ball despite taking a lead of 80," said Karunaratne. Pakistan turned the match on its head with a huge second-innings 555-3 declared on Sunday, with 174 from man-of-the-match and man-of-the-series Abid Ali, 135 from Shan Masood, 118 from Azhar and 100 not out from Babar Azam as the top four all reached three figures. Abid had also scored a hundred in the first Test. The final day began in a dramatic manner when Naseem dismissed Lasit Embuldeniya off the first ball, catching his gloves on the way to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. From the other end leg-spinner, Yasir Shah had Oshada Fernando caught in the slip for his overnight score of 102 after a 180-ball knock that contained 13 boundaries. Naseem wrapped up the match by trapping Vishwa Fernando with the fifth ball of the next over, triggering jubilation among the Pakistan players who were all playing in their first Test series at home. It is Pakistan's first series win at home against Sri Lanka since 1992. The win lifts Pakistan to third in the World Test Championship table with 80 points. Pakistan got 60 points from the win and 20 from the first Test draw. India (360) and Australia (216) are currently first and second. Nine teams are competing in the Championship, with the top two contesting the final in June 2021.

Cricket: Pakistan seal triumphant Test cricket return with Sri Lanka win

Test cricket returns to Pakistan for the first time in a decade today as Sri Lanka lock horns with the hosts in Rawalpindi for the opening game of the two-match series.

The visiting Sri Lankan team were given a warm reception on their arrival in Islamabad on Monday - with the Pakistan cricket board keen to mark this series as a watershed moment.

The two captains posed with the trophy for the series - which is officially part of the ICC world test championships - in Rawalpindi before going through the paces with their respective sides.

The hosts are keen to bounce back from a disastrous tour of Australia in which they suffered big innings defeats in both matches. In fact, they have not won a Test series since beating Australia in Dubai last year.

Pakistan will find a familiar face in the opposition camp - that of their former coach Mickey Arthur who is now in charge of the Sri Lankans.

The Islanders last played Tests in august in a home series against new Zealand that ended in a 1-1 draw. Before that, they had stunned South Africa in South Africa before the world cup.

Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to&nbsp;bat&nbsp;under overcast skies in the opening&nbsp;test&nbsp;against hosts&nbsp;Pakistan.

Experienced middle-order&nbsp;batsman Dinesh Chandimal is back in the&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;side for the first time since losing the captaincy after their defeat by Australia in Canberra in February.

Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;included one frontline spinner in Dilruwan Perera, dropped opening&nbsp;batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and brought in Oshada Fernando, who played the last of his two&nbsp;tests in February against South Africa.

The hosts, led by Azhar Ali, went with an all-pace attack with four fast bowlers in debutant Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi.

Opening&nbsp;batsman Abid Ali will make his debut in place of Imam-ul-Haq while there was no place for experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Teams

Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;- Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

Pakistan&nbsp;- Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (captain), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi

(With inputs from agencies)

Test cricket returns to Pakistan for the first time in a decade today as Sri Lanka lock horns with the hosts in Rawalpindi for the opening game of the two-match series.

Test cricket returns to Pakistan for the first time in a decade today as Sri Lanka lock horns with the hosts in Rawalpindi for the opening game of the two-match series. The visiting Sri Lankan team were given a warm reception on their arrival in Islamabad on Monday - with the Pakistan cricket board keen to mark this series as a watershed moment. The two captains posed with the trophy for the series - which is officially part of the ICC world test championships - in Rawalpindi before going through the paces with their respective sides. The hosts are keen to bounce back from a disastrous tour of Australia in which they suffered big innings defeats in both matches. In fact, they have not won a Test series since beating Australia in Dubai last year. Pakistan will find a familiar face in the opposition camp - that of their former coach Mickey Arthur who is now in charge of the Sri Lankans. The Islanders last played Tests in august in a home series against new Zealand that ended in a 1-1 draw. Before that, they had stunned South Africa in South Africa before the world cup. Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat under overcast skies in the opening test against hosts Pakistan. Experienced middle-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal is back in the Sri Lanka side for the first time since losing the captaincy after their defeat by Australia in Canberra in February. Sri Lanka included one frontline spinner in Dilruwan Perera, dropped opening batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and brought in Oshada Fernando, who played the last of his two tests in February against South Africa. The hosts, led by Azhar Ali, went with an all-pace attack with four fast bowlers in debutant Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi. Opening batsman Abid Ali will make his debut in place of Imam-ul-Haq while there was no place for experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Teams Sri Lanka - Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara Pakistan - Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (captain), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, 2019: Sri Lanka bat first as Test cricket returns to Pakistan after 10 years

Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sri-lanka-test-captain-dimuth-karunaratne-arrested-for-drink-driving-206936">Dimuth Karunaratne</a> won the toss and opted to&nbsp;bat&nbsp;under overcast skies in the opening&nbsp;test&nbsp;against hosts&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;at Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

The two-match series marks&nbsp;Pakistan's first&nbsp;tests on home soil since the 2009 militant attack on&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka's team bus in Lahore. The current touring side have been promised watertight security during the visit.

Experienced middle-order&nbsp;batsman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sri-lanka-recall-dinesh-chandimal-angelo-mathews-for-new-zealand-test-241726">Dinesh Chandima</a>l is back in the&nbsp;Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;side for the first time since losing the captaincy after their defeat by Australia in Canberra in February.

Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;included one frontline spinner in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/slvnz-watling-colin-de-grandhomme-put-new-zealand-ahead-in-second-test-245565">Dilruwan Perera</a>, dropped opening&nbsp;batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and brought in Oshada Fernando, who played the last of his two&nbsp;tests in February against South Africa.

The hosts, led by Azhar Ali, went with an all-pace attack with four fast bowlers in debutant Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi.

Opening&nbsp;batsman Abid Ali will make his debut in place of Imam-ul-Haq while there was no place for experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Teams

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sri-lanka-arrive-for-first-tests-in-pakistan-since-2009-attack-267140">Sri&nbsp;Lanka</a>&nbsp;- Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-firmly-committed-to-saarc-gotabaya-rajapaksa-267154">Pakistan&nbsp;</a>- Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (captain), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat under overcast skies in the opening test against hosts Pakistan at Rawalpindi on Wednesday. The two-match series marks Pakistan's first tests on home soil since the 2009 militant attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore.

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat under overcast skies in the opening test against hosts Pakistan at Rawalpindi on Wednesday. The two-match series marks Pakistan's first tests on home soil since the 2009 militant attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore. The current touring side have been promised watertight security during the visit. Experienced middle-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal is back in the Sri Lanka side for the first time since losing the captaincy after their defeat by Australia in Canberra in February. Sri Lanka included one frontline spinner in Dilruwan Perera, dropped opening batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and brought in Oshada Fernando, who played the last of his two tests in February against South Africa. The hosts, led by Azhar Ali, went with an all-pace attack with four fast bowlers in debutant Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi. Opening batsman Abid Ali will make his debut in place of Imam-ul-Haq while there was no place for experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Teams Sri Lanka - Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara Pakistan - Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (captain), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi

Sri Lanka bat as test cricket returns to Pakistan

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Battling Fernando leads Sri Lanka fightback in first Test

Cricket: Pakistan seal triumphant Test cricket return with Sri Lanka win

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, 2019: Sri Lanka bat first as Test cricket returns to Pakistan after 10 years

Sri Lanka bat as test cricket returns to Pakistan