PAKISTAN CLINCH TEST SERIES 1-0
Karachi, Pakistan - It took Pakistan just 16 balls on the fifth morning to take the three Sri Lanka wickets they needed to wrap up the second Test and the series.
It was made even more memorable for the hosts when Naseem Shah became the second-youngest player to take a five-for by trapping Vishwa Fernando plumb in front to seal the win.
The 15 minutes on Monday were a microcosm of the lack of fight Sri Lanka exhibited over the previous two days.
Not one run was added to the overnight total, and the first wicket of the day fell off the first delivery when a fierce Naseem bouncer brushed Lasith Embuldeniya's glove on its way to the wicketkeeper.
That this would be a short day was confirmed when Oshada Fernando, on 102, nicked one to Asad Shafiq off Yasir Shah, leaving Nos 10 and 11 at the crease.
Naseem took care of the final wicket, and for Pakistan, it ended a decade of a nomadic existence they will hope they never have to return to again. Naseem, and this generation of Pakistan cricketers, deserve that at least.
Teenage quick bowler Naseem at 16 years and 307 days became the second youngest bowler to take five wickets in a Test innings as he bowled an express spell to finish with five for 31.
Fellow Pakistani and left-arm spinner Nasim-ul-Ghani holds the record and was just four days younger when he completed the feat against the West Indies at Georgetown in a 1957-58 series.
Naseem was aged six when
international cricket was suspended in Pakistan following an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.
Pakistan were forced to play all their home matches at the neutral venues of UAE, before improved security allowed them to begin hosting limited-over series over the past four years.
The first Test of the series in Rawalpindi marked the return of Test cricket in Pakistan, but it ended in a draw after
being spoiled by bad weather.
‘A special talent’
Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali thanked Sri Lanka for their part in allowing Test cricket to return.
"Special thanks to Sri Lanka from the bottom of our hearts," said Azhar. "They have given us immense happiness by playing in Pakistan, it was pretty emotional.
"Naseem is a special talent and we can build on our bowling attack in the years to come."
It is Pakistan's first series win at home against Sri Lanka since 1992. The win lifts Pakistan to third in the World Test Championship table with 80 points. Pakistan got 60 points from the win and 20 from the first Test draw.
India (360) and Australia (216) are currently first and second. Nine teams are competing in the Championship, with the top two contesting the final in June 2021.