Sri Lanka squared the three-match series, 1-1 beating Pakistan by 7 wickets in the 2nd Test which concluded on Monday afternoon at P. Sara Oval grounds despite rain threatening to disrupt play.
The game was delayed by 30 minutes due to the massive overnight rain and the start of play was pushed to 10.15am. Sri Lanka needed 153 runs to win on day five and they opted to open the batting with Dimuth Karunarathne and Kithruwan Vithanage.
The left-handed duo completely took the visitors by surprise hitting all around almost like a T20 chase looking to make short work of the 153 target. Their intentions were clear; to beat Pakistan and the rain. The threat of rain loomed all morning with heavy dark cloud were hovering above the grounds.
Dimuth started the chase with two boundaries off Junaid Khan in the opening over. Kithruwan showcased he is one of the most powerful hitters of cricket ball with his aggressive batting approach. Vithanage smashed 4 fours during his brief stay of 34 in 23 deliveries. He cracked two gigantic sixes off Zulfiqar Babar and in the same over he miscued another slog sweep which was snapped by Mohammed Hafeez at deep mid-wicket. They managed to stroke 49 runs in 7 overs for the first wicket.
Sangakkara walked out to bat his final innings against his favourite opposition, Pakistan but he was surprised by Yasir Shah’s spin and bounce as the batting legend was dismissed for a golden duck. The ball hit the rough patch outside off and brushed the glove to his pads and lobbed straight to short-leg fielder. This was his 6th golden duck and 11th duck in his 15-year long Test career.
Sri Lanka was in a precarious position when their skipper Angelo Mathews came to the middle but he and Dimuth constructed a valuable 72-run stand for the 3rd wicket in just 79 balls to guide their team closer to the target. Dimuth reached his 6th Test half-ton in 55 deliveries before he was given LBW off Yasir Shah attempting a wild pull shot.
Vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne joined his senior partner and they sensibly guided the hosts over the winning line with an unbroken 32-run stand.
In a summary, Sri Lanka’s win was inspired by man-of-the-match Dhammika Prasad’s brilliant bowling performance on both innings where he claimed a match-bag of 9 for 135. Kaushal Silva and Angelo Mathews guided Sri Lanka to a 177-run lead with fighting half-centuries. Yasir Shah was the bowling hero for the visitors taking a 6-wicket haul. Pakistan replied superbly by putting up a gallant effort anchored by Azhar Ali’s 9th Test ton. The Lankan bowlers pulled their socks up and derailed the Pakistanis on day 4 to stir up their chances of a win.
Pakistan won the first Test by 10 wickets last week at Galle. The third and final game will start on 3rd of July at Pallekelle International Stadium.
Pakistan – 138 all out in 42.5 overs: Mohammed Hafeez 42, Azhar Ali 26, Tharindu Kaushal 5/42, Dhammika Prasad 3/43.
Sri Lanka – 315 all out in 121.3 overs: Kaushal Silva 80, Kumar Sangakkara 34, Angelo Mathews 77, Dhammika Prasad 35, Yasir Shah 6/96.
Pakistan (2nd inn) – 329 all out in 118.2 overs: Ahmed Shehzad 69, Azhar Ali 117, Younis Khan 40, Angelo Mathews 2/15, Dhammika Prasad 4/92, Dushmantha Chameera 3/53.
Sri Lanka (2nd inn) – 153/3 in 26.3 overs: Kithruwan Vithanage 34, Dimuth Karunarathne 50, Angelo Mathews 43*, Lahiru Thirimanne 20*, Yasir Shah 2/55.
