By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan completed a comprehensive series whitewash over Sri Lanka with an innings and 222-run victory in the second and final test on Thursday, thanks to a career-best seven-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
Sri Lanka, who were asked to follow on after being dismissed for 166 in their first innings, crumbled to 188 all out in their second attempt at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.
Noman, playing only his second test, ripped through the Sri Lankan batting line-up with figures of seven for 70, the second-best by a Pakistani bowler against the hosts after Imran Khan’s eight for 58 in Lahore in 1982.
He was well supported by paceman Naseem Shah, who claimed the other three wickets with some reverse swing and finished with three for 37.
Sri Lanka’s defeat was their heaviest at home in terms of runs, surpassing their innings and 208-run loss to South Africa at the same venue in 1993.
It was also Pakistan’s first test series win since they beat New Zealand 2-1 at home in December 2021.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam praised his team’s performance and said they had worked hard before the tour.
“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,” he said.
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne rued his team’s poor batting display and said they had failed to capitalise on winning the toss in both tests.
“Our batting has been horrible. 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,” he said.
Sri Lanka had started the day on a positive note, reaching 81 for one at lunch after resuming on 29 without loss.
But they lost five wickets in the afternoon session as Noman spun a web around them with his accurate bowling.
Only Angelo Mathews showed some resistance with an unbeaten 63, his second half-century of the series, but he ran out of partners as Naseem wrapped up the tail quickly.
Pakistan had piled up a mammoth 576 for six declared in their first innings, powered by a maiden double century from opener Abdullah Shafique (211) and a century from Agha Salman (105).
Shafique was named man of the match while Salman, who scored 221 runs and took three wickets in the series, was named man 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. It’s been a good place this country for me.”
The two teams will now play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals, starting from Aug. 2 in Colombo.
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