With bad weather playing spoil sport in the ongoing Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi, marking the return of red ball cricket to Pakistan after over a decade, there was an incident off the green turf which hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons.


In the post-day press conference, Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella faced reporters to answer their questions over the proceedings on the second day of the Test.

While addressing the press conference, a Pakistani journalist mistook Niroshan Dickwella for his team mate Dhananjaya de Silva and addressed him with the latter's name not one but twice. Dickwella's surprise and reaction to the blunder left the journalist red faced and everyone else present in splits.


On Day Two of the Rawalpindi Test, Dickwella and De Silva stitched a solid partnership to add 67 runs for the sixth wicket before Dickwella was out for 33. The left-hander was the only wicket to fall on day 2 while de Silva remained unbeaten on 72.

The journalist began his first question by saying "you played well..." before Dickwella interjected by saying: I’m Dickwella actually. I’m not de Silva. Dickwella had, in fact got dismissed after scoring 33 in his team's 1st innings while de Silva was still unbeaten at stumps having scored a fighting 72.

However, the journalist failed to cop the hint as he continued with his line of questioning.

“You played well on this pitch and in these conditions. Are you thinking a hundred on this pitch?” the journalist asked.

You mean me? I am Dickwella not de Silva,” Dickwella replied with a laugh.

“I got out. I am already out in the pavilion. Maybe in the second innings.”

The wicket-keeper then went on to praise the hospitality shown by Pakistan and expressed his delight in playing Test cricket in the country.

“I’m really happy and proud to be in Pakistan and play here,” Dickwella said.