GALLE – Sri Lanka registered a massive 246-run victory against Pakistan onfifth day of the second Test match, leveling the two-match series at theGalle International Stadium.
Pakistan side was dismissed for 261 in chase of a monumental 508 runstarget as the Men in Green Shirts failed to overpower bowlers of the hostteam.
Earlier in the day, Babar Azam and Imamul Haq opened the day with Pakistanat 89-2. However, the host team bagged an early wicket when Ramesh removedHaq at 49.
Skipper Babar Azam remained top scorer with 81 runs while Mohammad Rizwanwas sent packing for 37 runs.
When it comes to the ICC World Test Championship standings, Sri Lankaclimbed to the third spot with a win percentage of 53.33, while Pakistanhave dropped down to No.5 with a win percentage of 51.85.
Pakistan team will return from Sri Lanka tonight via Maldives and Dubai.
On day 4, Pakistan made an impressive start to their 508-run chase,however, bad light followed by rain curtailed the day as play wascalled-off with 26 overs left undelivered.
After a promising start, the visitors lost Abdullah Shafique for 16 after a42-run opening stand. Imam-ul-Haq finished the day at an unbeaten 46 off 80balls (four fours).
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Imam and captain Babar Azam have so far added 47 runs for thesecond-wicket, Babar was not out on 26 off 38 balls (two fours and one six).
On Wednesday, Dhananjaya de Silva was Sri Lanka’s second innings’ starperformer. The right-hander scored the ninth century of his Test career tospearhead his side’s progress to their 500 plus overall lead.
Resuming at 176 for five, de Silva and captain Dimuth Karunaratne tooktheir sixth-wicket partnership to 126. Nauman Ali provided Pakistan theirfirst breakthrough of the day when he had Karunaratne smartly caught byAbdullah at short-leg. Karunaratne scored 61 off 105 balls with the help ofthree fours.
Sri Lanka continued to progress at a healthy rate as Pakistan bowlerssearched for wickets. Debutant Dunith Wellalage fell for 18 to MohammadNawaz, Sri Lanka took lunch at 297 for seven – overall lead of 444.
De Silva completed his century off 159 balls, the seasoned batter found anable ally in Ramesh Mendis who followed his first innings all-roundexploits (35 and five wickets) with an unbeaten 45 (54 balls, five fours).
The pair added 82 for the eight-wicket before de Silva was run out via adirect hit by Yasir Shah. Sri Lanka declared their innings at 360 for 8.Naseem Shah and Nawaz took two wickets each for Pakistan.
