It was fitting that Rangana Herath took the final wicket of Abdur Rauf. After all it was the same bowler who won Sri Lanka a victory that did not seem possible yesterday at Galle.
The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka saw a dramatic finish, but not in favour of the visitors who needed just ninety-seven on the final day, and 168 overall to win the first Test.
Ironically Pakistan did not fall to any demonic pitch mayhems but rather to some tight, disciplined bowling from Sri Lanka’s bowlers and also, due to some dubious shot selection choices.
Herath began the rot, picking up the centurion from the first innings, Mohammad Yousuf, and from that stage, Pakistan lost eight wickets for forty-one runs. They lost by fifty runs, the exact lead they had from the first innings. It boiled down to partnerships, as Pakistan captain, Younis Khan, touched upon and Pakistan did not have any on the day when it mattered, chasing a rather modest score.
Herath meanwhile produced havoc of the kind that teams that sight victories can only have nightmares about. Herath picked up four wickets for just fifteen runs from just twelve overs and his captain Kumar Sangakkara could not have been more proud of the bowler plucked out for the game.
Pakistan will now have to dig deep to overcome this loss and march on for the next Test.
SL Pak Test 1 Day 3: SL Set Pak Target of 168
Vaas furious Over Retirement Retorts
ICC World Twenty20 Final Aftermath: Why Pakistan won and Sri Lanka failed
SL PAK T1 Preview: Resumption/Resurrection/Reconstruction After Terror
