DOMINANT SRI LANKA BEAT PAKISTAN IN SECOND TEST
DUBAI (AFP) - Sri Lanka produced a professional performance to register their biggest victory over Pakistan by nine wickets in the second Test in Dubai, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Paceman Suranga Lakmal took all three wickets to fall on the fifth morning to finish with a career-best 4-78 to wrap up Pakistan's second innings for 359 before Sri Lanka knocked off the meager 137-run target for one wicket.
In achieving the victory, Sri Lanka also defied the cloudy weather in Dubai and rain forecast for yesterday.
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne (62 not out) hit the winning runs after putting on 124 for the first wicket with Kaushal Silva who fell after scoring 58.
Kumar Sangakkara remained unbeaten on nine.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews praised his bowlers.
“The bowlers did really well and the batsmen came to the party to set up this win,” said Mathews.
“That's the beauty of Test cricket, we have to keep fighting despite the situation.” Pakistan's lowest defended target was 127 achieved against New Zealand at Hamilton in 1993, when they dismissed their opponents for 93 but Sri Lanka ensured the good work was not lost.
Sri Lanka had previously beaten Pakistan by eight wickets on two occasions in 45 Tests between the two nations.
In a surprise move Pakistan opened the bowling with off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez but both openers played with authority.
Silva hit five boundaries before trapped legbefore by Saeed Ajmal. Karunaratne hit eight boundaries off 125 balls.
Ajmal was once again ineffective, having now taken five wickets in two matches.
Pakistan will be desperate to level the series in the third Test starting in Sharjah from Thursday to avoid their first-ever series defeat in United Arab Emirates, their adopted base for cricket since 2010 because of security fears back home.
The first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq criticised the Dubai stadium pitch.
“We are not getting the pitch we want,” said Misbah. “It's a worry as there was no spin, even on the fifth day, and spinners are our strength.” Mahela Jayawardene, declared man-of-the-match for his 129, said he was happy to contribute in the win.
“Obviously the hand dictated the way I batted and the match situation as well,” said Jayawardene, who batted with stitches in his left hand.
“Our bowlers did really well to limit the Pakistan batting. It's good to play with this bunch of boys and we have one more Test to go so hope we do well in Sharjah as well.” Earlier, Pakistan failed to prolong their resistance of the fourth day as they lost three wickets in the space of just 29 runs.
Lakmal removed Sarfraz Ahmed in the fourth over of the day, bringing one in sharply to beat the Pakistani's forward defensive push and hit the off-stump. Sarfraz scored 74.