Sri Lanka Succumbs to Pakistan’s Superiority
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — In a resounding display of dominance, Pakistan handed Sri Lanka its most significant defeat on home soil, wrapping up the second match at Sinhalese Sports Club in just four days and sweeping the series 2-0.
A Record-Breaking Loss for Sri Lanka
Chasing a massive first-innings deficit of 410, Sri Lanka collapsed for a mere 188 runs in their second innings. Noman Ali and Naseem Shah shared all 10 wickets to fall, leaving Sri Lanka shattered. This defeat surpasses Sri Lanka’s previous worst home loss of an innings and 208 runs against South Africa at SSC in 1993. Meanwhile, this victory marks Pakistan’s first test series win since December 2021.
The Pride of Pakistan
Reflecting on the team’s success, Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his pride in the series win, giving credit to the team’s hard work and dedicated support staff. Azam highlighted the team’s meticulous preparation before the tour, emphasizing the satisfaction he derived from witnessing the bowlers’ exceptional performance. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali emerged as the hero, claiming a career-best 7-70, the second-best bowling figures by a Pakistani against Sri Lanka.
Naseem Shah’s Impact
Naseem Shah’s reverse swing with the old ball proved to be deadly. Unlucky to have two leg-before-wicket decisions overturned after review, Shah made an impact by quickly dismissing Sri Lanka’s tail-enders, taking the last three wickets in just six balls.
Sri Lanka’s Disappointing Batting
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne expressed his disappointment with the team’s abysmal batting performance, admitting that their batting had been “horrible” throughout the series. Despite winning the toss in both tests, Sri Lanka failed to post competitive totals, throwing away their wickets and facing the consequences. Karunaratne lamented the lack of positives for his team in this series.
Noman Ali’s Brilliance
Noman Ali turned the game in Pakistan’s favor between lunch and tea on the final day. He accounted for the top seven wickets to fall, leaving Sri Lanka reeling. Noman’s bowling may not have possessed any extraordinary variations, but his consistency in hitting the right spot and generating turn troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen, particularly the right-handers. Sri Lanka’s poor strokes and lack of trust in their defenses led to their downfall, with only Angelo Mathews showing resistance with an unbeaten 63.
Sri Lanka’s Collapse
The final session of the day witnessed Sri Lanka’s last four wickets tumbling for a mere 11 runs, further highlighting their batting woes. The collapse mirrored their first-innings performance, where they were bundled out for just 166 runs after electing to bat first.
Individual Accolades
Abdullah Shafique, who scored a maiden double hundred in the first test, was named the Man of the Match. Agha Salman, with his contribution of 221 runs and three wickets, was awarded the Player of the Series.
A Long-Awaited Victory for Pakistan
The Pakistani team expressed their elation at winning a test series after a prolonged drought. Abdullah Shafique expressed his satisfaction in playing a significant role in the series triumph, crediting Sri Lanka as a favorable venue for his performance.
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