Sri Lanka won the second Test by seven wickets with Dimuth Karunaratne smashing his sixth Test half-century against Pakistan at P Sara Oval on the last day of the match. Sri Lanka needed 153 to win as play was delayed by 30 minutes due to wet outfield.
Kithuruwan Vithanage and Karunaratne opened the batting for Sri Lanka instead of the regular pair of the latter and Kaushal Silva. Vithanage smashed a quickfire 34 from 23 balls, which included two back-to-back sixes and four fours. He tried to play another six. However, Vithanage was not able to make proper connection with the bat andMohammad Hafeez caught him at deep midwicket to give Pakistan some air to breathe.
Kumar Sangakkara was the next batsman to walk in. However, Sangakkara’s poor form in the current Test series continued as he was dismissed for a golden duck. He tried to defend a Yasir Shah delivery but it edged was taken by Azhar Ali at short leg. This is Sangakkara’s sixth golden duck and his first against Pakistan. Sangakkara, who will retire after the Test series against India, will not participate in the third Test at Colombo. This was Sangakkara’s last Test match against Pakistan.
Angelo Mathews took some time to walk out to bat, as Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets. Mathews and Karunaratne made further progress for the hosts. There were a couple of time when Mathews lost control of his gloves and bat while running between the wickets.
Karunaratne, who almost lost his wicket with the first ball of the innings, was dismissed leg-before by Yasir Shah. Despite going upstairs for the decision, Karunaratne’s LBW decision was upheld by TV umpire. There was no sign of inside edge and replays showed the ball hitting the wickets properly.
It was all left for Mathews and vice-captain Lahiru Thirmanne to finish the job as they wrapped it up inside 26.3 overs. Mathews was unbeaten on 43 with Thirimanne on 20.
Pakistan won the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets. The third Test starts in Pallekele on Friday. (Cricket Country)
