Sri Lanka thrash Pakistan, claim Test series

Published October 10, 2017
Pakistan's Asad Shafiq plays a shot during the fourth day Second Test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. —AP
Pakistan's Asad Shafiq plays a shot during the fourth day Second Test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. —AP

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 68 runs in the second and final day-night Test in Dubai on Tuesday, clinching the series title.

Sri Lanka's win ends Pakistan's unbeaten track record on neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates, where the latter had not lost a Test series in nine attempts since the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, drawing four series and winning five.

Pakistan today were all out for 248 runs in chase of Sri Lanka's 317-run target. Karuna Ratne was awarded man of the match and man of the series for his outstanding batting, with 196 runs in the Sri Lankan innings.

With this loss, Pakistan have fallen to the seventh spot in the ICC Test rankings ─ a stark difference from their position on top of the rankings last year, when Misbah-ul-Haq was captain of the team.

Asad Shafiq leaves the field after the end of the fourth day Second Test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Dubai. —AP
Asad Shafiq leaves the field after the end of the fourth day Second Test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Dubai. —AP

It was game over for Pakistan after the final batsman, Wahab Riaz, was caught out by Dinesh Chandimal off a delivery from Test hero Rangana Herath, who became the second Sri Lankan to bag 400 wickets in the first Test against Pakistan.

Riaz, who made a single run. was caught in the deep trying hit one out of the ground.

Yasir Shah was also stumped off Herath today.

Skipper Sarfraz was the first man out as play resumed today, when he was caught sweeping against Paradeep just when it appeared as though he and Asad Shafiq may be able to steer Pakistan to victory and a series draw after Sri Lanka's dramatic 21-run win in the first Test in Abu Dhabi last week.

Mohammad Amir fell against Dilruwan Perera ─ who completed his five-for with this wicket ─ soon after.

Play today resumed with Pakistan at 198-5. Riaz yesterday grabbed four for 41 and left-arm spinner Haris Sohail took three wickets, dismissing Sri Lanka for 96 in their second innings.

Sri Lanka had been whitewashed by India at home before this series.

The ODIs between the two teams begin on Friday, October 13.

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