COLOMBO: Pakistan inflicted the heaviest home test defeat on Sri Lanka on Thursday, securing a comprehensive victory in the second match at Sinhalese Sports Club within four days and sweeping the series 2-0.
“Very proud to win this series and all credit to the boys and support staff working very hard,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said. “We had some good camps before coming here and all our hard work paid off I must say on this tour. We have ticked all the boxes. The way our bowlers went about things was very satisfying to see.”
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali played a pivotal role for the Pakistanis, claiming a career-best 7-70. It’s the second-best total by a Pakistani against Sri Lanka, just behind Imran Khan’s 8-58 in Lahore in 1982.
Naseem Shah was equally impressive, reverse swinging the old ball to deadly effect and making his presence felt by knocking off the tail in double quick time. Sri Lanka lost the last three wickets in just six balls that Naseem sent down.
“Our batting has been horrible,” Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne lamented. “In both tests, we won the toss and had to put up good totals. But we threw away our wickets and paid the price. Feel very disappointed. Not many positives in this series for us.”
It was another shocking batting display by Sri Lanka after starting off well. The opening pair had added 69 for the first wicket, and Sri Lanka carried hopes of taking the game to the final day when lunch was taken at 81-1.
But Noman turned the game on its head between lunch and tea as Sri Lanka lost the cream of its batting with five wickets falling. All the wickets that fell after lunch were due to poor strokes as Sri Lankan batters didn’t trust their defenses, and only Angelo Mathews showed some fight. He remained unbeaten on 63 after batting for three-and-a-half hours.
Sri Lanka’s last four wickets fell in the final session of the day for just 11 runs.
Sri Lanka had also collapsed in the first innings, where it was bowled out for 166 runs after electing to bat first, and another shocking batting display followed in the second innings.
Abdullah Shafique, who posted a maiden double hundred, was named Man of the Match, while Agha Salman, who contributed with 221 runs and picked up three wickets, was named Player of the Series.
“We are really thrilled that we won a test series. It’s been a while since we won one,” Shafique said. “Good confidence booster for all the players. I am very pleased to have played a big part in this series. I have done well in Sri Lanka. This country has been a good place for me.”
The victory for Pakistan was not only significant for their commanding performance but also marked their first test series win since December 2021. The team’s players and support staff were jubilant, celebrating their well-deserved triumph.
In contrast, Sri Lanka was left to ponder the disappointing series and the glaring weaknesses in their batting lineup. The repeated collapses in both innings of the second test exposed the lack of resilience and application from their top-order batsmen. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and the team management knew they had plenty to address and work on before their next series.
As the cricketing world reacted to Pakistan’s victory, accolades poured in for Noman Ali and Naseem Shah for their exceptional performances with the ball. Noman’s consistent line and length, along with his ability to exploit the turning track, earned him immense praise. Naseem, on the other hand, showcased his skills in reverse swing, causing headaches for the Sri Lankan batsmen.
The Sri Lankan cricket board initiated a thorough review of the team’s performance, aiming to identify the areas of improvement and make necessary changes. They were determined to revive their cricketing prowess and ensure that such heavy defeats would not become a recurring theme.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani team continued to bask in the glory of their series triumph. Captain Babar Azam expressed his gratitude towards the fans, acknowledging their unwavering support, and credited the team’s hard work during the training camps for their success. The players were upbeat and eager to build on this victory and set their sights on upcoming challenges.
Abdullah Shafique and Agha Salman, the standout performers of the series, were becoming fan favorites and were being hailed as potential future stars of Pakistan cricket. The team management and selectors were delighted with the emergence of these young talents, and they hoped to nurture and groom them for long-term success in the international arena.
As the cricketing calendar continued, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka prepared for their next series. Pakistan had gained momentum and confidence from this victory and looked forward to more challenging contests ahead. Sri Lanka, with the bitter taste of defeat, were focused on regrouping and addressing their batting woes.
The world of cricket celebrated the competitive spirit displayed by both teams during the series, hoping for more thrilling encounters in the future. The Pakistan-Sri Lanka rivalry had added another chapter, and fans around the globe eagerly awaited the next installment of this enthralling cricketing saga.
In the aftermath of the series, the cricketing fraternity showered praise on Pakistan for their dominant performance and the way they had outplayed Sri Lanka in all aspects of the game. Many experts lauded Pakistan’s bowlers for their incisive and disciplined bowling, which proved to be too much for the Sri Lankan batsmen to handle. They also acknowledged the batting brilliance of Abdullah Shafique and Agha Salman, who played crucial roles in the team’s success.
As Pakistan celebrated their series win, they were also aware of the challenges that lay ahead. The team management and coaching staff recognized the importance of maintaining consistency and building on the momentum gained from this victory. They emphasized the need to continue working on their skills, fitness, and team dynamics to compete at the highest level in future series.
For Sri Lanka, the defeat was a wake-up call, and it sparked discussions about the state of their Test cricket. The selectors faced tough decisions regarding the composition of the team, particularly in the batting department. There were calls for nurturing young talents and providing them with opportunities at the international level.
