Sri Lanka defeats Pakistan in 1st Test by 7 wickets
6 wickets by Herath and quick-firing runs by Sri Lankan top-order get Sri Lanka a historic victory.
GALLE: (Dunya News) – After four dry days of cricket, the Galle Test took a dramatic turn on the fifth day as Pakistan crumbled to a meager 180 in the second innings of the test. With a trail of 82 runs, Pakistan was already short of runs to save the match. Sri Lanka was given a target of 99 runs in 19 overs to win the test.
Tharanga and Jyawardene started off at a brisk pace but Tharanga was bowled out by Junaid Khan when he had only scored 12 runs off 20 balls. Sri Lanka was 1 for 28 at this time and there was a threat of bad light and rain on this occasion but Sangakara and Jayawardene kept the strike rate up and going.
Lankans had to face another loss at the score of 59 when Junaid Khan broke Jayawardene’s (26) stumps. Mathews joined Sangakara to keep the scoreboard moving at the same pace. However, the hosts had to face loss of Sangakara who was caught by Khurram Manzoor on the boundary off Talha’s bowling. Sangakara added 21 precious runs to the Sri Lankan total.
At 3 for 73, it looked like Pakistan could still pull it off as Sri Lanka still needed 26 runs to win the game and clouds looked threatening. However, Vithanage and Mathews shattered any hopes, if there were any, by their quick-fire 26 runs partnership.
Vithanage struck one boundary and one sixer for his 11 off 8 balls. Mathews scored 25 runs off just 13 balls with the help of 2 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Sri Lankans were comfortably home with 29 balls to spare at the loss of 3 wickets. Rangana Herath was declared the Man of the Match for his 9 wickets in the Test.
