PAK vs SL: 2nd Test – Talking points from Pakistan’s home-series win

After a decade of playing their ‘home’ matches in foreign venues, Pakistan registered a genuine series victory at home as they defeated Sri Lanka by 263 runs in the second Test at Karachi. First Test match of the mini-series was a drawn affair as the weather at Rawalpindi did not encourage play. By claiming the second Test, Pakistan clinched the series and also earned 60 points in the World Test Championship. They are now in third place with 80 points. Here are the highlights of this Test.

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13-wicket day

After winning the toss, home side Pakistan chose to bat first on a pitch with a decent grass cover. The move worked against them as Sri Lankan pacers reaped early rewards. The fifties from Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq steadied the innings and at 167/4, Pakistan did look safe. However, Lahiru Kumara and Lasith Embuldeniya changed the scene in little time as Pakistan collapsed to 191 all out. Sri Lanka also lost three wickets by the end of the day.

Afridi takes a five-wicket haul

At 184/7, a substantial lead seemed a distant dream for Sri Lanka. However, the lower order responded to the team’s call and added crucial runs in the lead. Dinesh Chandimal’s 74 and Dilruwan Perera’s 48 were the stand out contributions. They were dented by Shaheen Afridi who took his maiden five-wicket haul (5/77) in Tests. Mohammad Abbas supported him with 4/55.

Fabulous four

In the second dig, Pakistan batted out of their skins. Abid Ali and Shan Masood added 278 runs for the first wicket. Masood fell on 135 while Ali brought up his second consecutive Test ton in as many games and was dismissed for 174. Captain Azhar Ali revived his form with his 16th Test century. With an eye on the declaration, Babar Azam sped up his run-making and brought up another Test ton at home. Four Test centurions saw Pakistan piling up a mammoth score of 555/3 which meant Sri Lanka needed 476 runs to win.

Abid Ali is first Pakistan player to get man-of-the-match award in each of the first two Tests. He has 321 runs with two centuries in just three innings. #PakvSL

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 23, 2019

Fiery Nasim

Sri Lanka’s chase was jolted by Mohammad Abbas who sent back Dimuth Karunaratne in the 10th over. Naseem Shah then dismissed Kusal Mendis for a duck and later accounted for Chandimal. Opener Oshada Fernando and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella showed some fight as Sri Lanka finished the fourth day on 212/7. Naseem ran through the tail on the last day to register his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. At the age of 16 years and 307 days, he became the second-youngest cricketer to do so. Sri Lanka did not add any runs on the fifth day and eventually lost by 263 runs.