Quality cricket concludes 'phase one' of Pak-Lanka series

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Quality cricket concludes 'phase one' of Pak-Lanka series

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LAHORE (Web Desk) – Quality cricket has earned Pakistan a series against Sri Lanka – the Islanders. Green Caps waited for nine years to achieve this milestone. Before the start of the series, Misbah’s men wanted to dominate the Islanders on their home soil.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in 2012 as Misbah-XI failed to win even a single Test in the 2-match series. Rangana Herath always disturbs Pakistan with his left-arm spin and his stats against Green Caps speak for him as he removed more than 90 Pakistani players from 22 yards.

This time Pakistan came up with the plan against Sri Lankan spinner as Misbah said in the statement that the boys have viewed enough footages and stats to neutralize Sri Lanka s top spinner.

Misbah proved his claim right during the series as Pakistan only gave away 5 wickets to Hearth in the two matches, injury aside.

When this series started, expectations from both teams were very high. It was pressure situation for Sri Lankan captain because of the absence of veteran batsman Mahela Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka started the Galle Test very strongly as Pakistan seemed rattle against hosts but Pakistani leg-break bowler Yasir Shah proved  man with the golden arm  for the away team who picked most wickets, 24, during the series. With Yasir Shah’s leg-break and googlies, Sarfaraz and Asad’s match winning partnership, Pakistan managed to come out victorious in the first Test, thanks to brilliance of Pakistani young guns.

Colombo Test will be remembered as a historic match for Sri Lankan cricket as Sri Lankan living legend Kumar Sangakkara announced retirement from all forms of cricket. Although he went out for duck in his final match on home soil yet cricket world would have applauded his services for the Sri Lankan cricket. Sri Lanka won the second match by seven wickets.

Three-match series  decider was played at Pallekele. Matthews-XI appeared a little rusty before the start of the Test match as Sri Lanka had to play the match without Sangakkara and Jayawardene. This was the first time after the Sangakkara s debut that Sri Lanka played without these two. It was not easy for Sri Lankan skipper to fill the Sangakkara sized hole.

Pakistani dressing room was also in the same conundrum as Misbah had to play without his old partner Muhammad Hafeez, who went for his bowling action Test in India, and star fast bowler Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan managed to win the Pallekele Test thanks to brilliance of Shan Masood and legendary batsman Younis Khan. The senior-junior pair put 217 runs together in the time of need.

It is pertinent to mention here that the following factors may have been responsible for Pakistan’s victory against Sri Lanka too.

Yasir Shah’s magical leg-spin:

This was a dream-come-true series for Yasir Shah. Yasir Shah named various records to his name. He took 24 wickets during the series which was record performance by any Pakistani. Yasir Shah would have been applauded over his performance.

Imran Khan – The lucky charm:

Imran Khan is considered as lucky charm for Pakistan. Whenever he got the chance to represent his national side, he never disappointed the selectors. Moreover Pakistan never lost a single match that Imran Khan played. Imran took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket in Pallekele Test.

Hafeez s ban – Blessing in disguise:

Hafeez’s ban proved blessing in disguise for Pakistan as Shan Masood got his chance in the team and he justified his selection by scoring a match-saving ton. Hafeez did not play the third test because he was banned from bowling due to suspected bowling action.

Pakistan is going to play the first match of the ODI series against Sri Lanka tomorrow (Saturday 11 July).