PAK v SL, 2nd Test, Review: Dilruwan Perera dismantle Pakistan as Sri Lanka sweep a memorable series

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the second and final Test match by 68 runs and swept the two-match series 2-0 in Dubai. The victory was much-needed for the visitors after the humiliation at home at the hands of India a month ago. Dilruwan Perera was the star in the second innings as he scalped a five-wicket haul and most importantly dismissed the overnight batsman Sarfraz Ahmed. Once an end was exposed, the other bowlers, especially the seamers, chipped in with wickets and Sri Lanka scripted a historic series win over Pakistan.

The match was tantalisingly poised when the hosts resumed at 198/5 with 119 runs adrift of their target. Sarfraz and Asad Shafiq were set and had added an unbeaten stand of 146 runs. On the final day, the duo started attacking from the word go and scored some quick runs. But the breakthrough came in the sixth over of the day when the former top-edged a sweep and the visitors sensed an opening. In the meantime, Shafiq completed his marvellous 11th Test century and showed tremendous resolve and skills.

But the tail-enders couldn’t support him much from the other end as he was dismissed by Suranga Lakmal to end the all the hopes of the home side. The bowlers for Sri Lanka were excellent right through the game but Perera was the man who dismantled Pakistani batsmen and picked up a fifer on the final day. He had picked three wickets on the fourth day but completed the landmark when it was much needed for his side. Fittingly, Rangana Herath sniffed the final wicket who had an off game by his standards and bowled the hosts out for 248 to seal the series.

Earlier in the match

Dinesh Chandimal opted to bat first after winning the toss in their first ever day-night Test match. They were powered by the century from Dimuth Karunaratne who missed his maiden double century by just 4 runs. Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 482 in the first innings courtesy some useful contributions from the lower order as well. However, Pakistan looked never in the game as they were bowled out for 262 conceding a huge 220 runs lead.

But they lived up to their tag of being unpredictable and skittled the team from island nation for just 96. The left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz brought the game alive by picking 4 wickets in the second innings. They had a great chance by chasing 317 and level the series, but the top order crumbled under pressure and at one stage they were reduced to 52/5. But the fight from their skipper and Shafiq had kept their hopes alive going into the final day.

Sri Lanka though will be immensely proud of their performance after what transpired back home. Dimuth Karunaratne was the key batsman for them with 306 runs in the series and he was deservedly awarded Man of the Series. He also won the Man of the Match award for his 196 in the first innings. Even the spin duo of Herath and Perera kept the opposition batsmen on the back foot whenever they tried to take the game away from them. Also by the virtue of this series, Sri Lanka have displaced Pakistan from the sixth position in the ICC Test rankings.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 482 (D Karunaratne 196; Y Shah 6/184) & 96 (K Mendis 29; W Riaz 4/41)

Pakistan 262 (A Ali 59; D Perera 3/72) & 248 (A Shafiq 112; D Perera 5/98)

Result: Sri Lanka won by 68 runs

Man of the Match: Dimuth Karunaratne

Man of the Series: Dimuth Karunaratne