Pakistan finish 365-day winless streak the place they final received
Pakistan 461 (Shakeel 208*, Salman 83, Ramesh 5-136, Jayasuriya 3-145) and 133 for six (Imam 50*, Jayasuriya 4-56) beat Sri Lanka 312 (Dhananjaya 122, Mathews 64, Abrar 3-68, Afridi 3-86) and 279 (Dhananjaya 82, Madushka 52, Abrar 3-68, Noman 3-75) by 4 wickets
It took just a little over an hour for Pakistan to wrap issues up, as they hunted down the remaining 83 runs in very un-Pakistan trend – with out fuss and little drama. Sure they misplaced three wickets, however from the very first ball – which was pulled for 4 – that they’d get there in the long run was in little to little question. The consequence means Pakistan take a 1-0 lead towards Sri Lanka on this two-match collection, and get them off to the best begin on this new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. It additionally provides them a primary Test win in precisely a yr – the last also coming in Galle.
Imam-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 50 with Agha Salman for firm when the successful runs – a luxurious loft over long-off for six – have been scored. Prabath Jayasuriya ended with figures of 4 for 56 to extend his ever-growing assortment of scalps at Galle, however that might be scant comfort for the hosts.
And whereas these of a Pakistani persuasion might need had doubts gnawing away at the back of their minds over a possible collapse, or a snatching-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory efficiency by the guests this morning, this was a consequence which may drive a rethink.
On the floor, a four-wicket win when searching down 131 would possibly level in the direction of some jitters, however this was oddly sufficient a chase that appeared in management regardless of these losses.
The first supply of the day in reality supplied a microcosm of how each these sides managed their respective briefs all through this Test, because the sometimes-erratic Ramesh Mendis dragged one brief for Babar Azam to place away simply to the boundary behind sq. leg; Pakistan wanted fast runs, Sri Lanka wanted to maintain issues tight, just one facet adopted the script.
This boundary was adopted by one other later within the over, with the primary 5 overs of the day finally being plundered for 30 runs. Both Babar and Imam confirmed uncharacteristic intent throughout this era, utilizing their ft to the spinners, whereas the Pakistan captain even gave the sweep a uncommon outing.
When he fell, trapped leg earlier than by Jayasuriya, a few of these watching on, aware of Pakistan’s historical past, might need been forgiven for bracing for a possible scare. After all, again in 2009, Pakistan had folded alarmingly fast when chasing a equally paltry complete at the exact same floor. But it is a new Pakistan – or not less than they’re attempting to be.
They had assured previous to the day’s play that they’d play attacking cricket, and they also did, Imam pumping one handsomely over long-off the very subsequent over after Babar’s fall, and Saud Shakeel – the primary innings hero – additionally slashing one behind level.
And because the deficit diminished, their depth solely elevated. With just a little over 20 runs left, Shakeel took Sri Lanka’s greatest bowler for a pair of boundaries on both facet of the wicket. At this level, Shakeel’s common had risen above 100, however he settled for rather less in the long run, nicking one via off Mendis earlier than the innings was carried out.
Sarfaraz was the final to fall, top-edging a sweep to deep sq. leg with simply 4 left to get, however Agha rammed dwelling the purpose, smoking one lengthy and straight first ball to wrap up the sport.
As for the way lengthy this positive-Pete model of Pakistan carries on stays to be seen, however in the meanwhile, it is definitely one thing to be celebrated. Sri Lanka, for his or her half, have 4 days to recalibrate on the way to fight this new beast and collect themselves for spherical two in Colombo.