Advertisment
Cricket

'Ek saal ka quota done' - Fans react as Pakistan win their first Test match in 365 days, defeats Sri Lanka by 4 wickets

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets to win their first Test match in 365 days. Here's how fans reacted.

author-image
Jennifer
Updated On
New Update
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets (Source: Twitter)

Pakistan have finally won a Test match after 365 days as they beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first session of the final Day. The two teams are contesting a two-match Test series and Pakistan have now taken the lead with the first win. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. Guided by Dhanajaya de Silva’s 122 off 214 and Angelo Mathews’ 64 off 109, the Lankans reached a total of 312 before being bundled out by Pakistan.

Advertisment

Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed scalped three wickets each as the only remaining wicket went to Salman Ali Agha. In reply, Pakistan had a weary start and were reduced to 101/5 within 21 overs. They were heroically rescued by a double century from Saud Shakeel. Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha stitched a brilliant partnership to take Pakistan to 278/6. Agha missed out on a deserved century Ramesh Mendis’s spin beat him for Samarawickrama to complete a quick stumping at 83 off 113. Shakeel went on to score 208* off 361 as Pakistan put up 461, achieving a first-innings lead of 149 runs.

Dhananjaya de Silva’s sole efforts went in vain

In their second innings, Sri Lanka could only manage 279 as Pakistan bowlers wreaked havoc on the batting order. Norman Ali and Abrar Ahmed completed three-wicket hauls with Shaheen Afridi and Salman Ali Agha contributing with two scalps each. Surprisingly, Naseem Shah remained wicketless despite bowling 12 overs. For Sri Lanka, Dhananjaya de Silva was once again the star with 82 off 118. Opener Nishan Madushka scored 52 off 115 and Ramesh Mendis contributed with 42 off 79 down the order to mark other worthy contributions.

Advertisment

Pakistan had to chase a modest total of 131 runs. Imam-ul Haq remained unbeaten on 50 off 84 whereas skipper Babar Azam with 24 off 28 and Saud Shakeel with 30 off 38 steadied the ship for Pakistan following a few quick wickets. In the end, Pakistan won the game by four wickets. Prabath Jayasuriya bowled exceptionally well for his 4/56 whereas Ramesh Mendis scalped one wicket.

Here’s how fans reacted:  

Pakistan featured Sri Lanka Twitter Reactions Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2023