[Watch] Pathum Nissanka hammers a boundary as Sri Lanka win ENG vs SL 2024 3rd Test
Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka struck the winning runs to lead his side to a famous win over England in the third and final Test at The Oval in London. The right-handed batter carved one through the off-side off Shoaib Bashir's bowling and let out a beaming smile, having achieved the win.
The 26-year-old had stayed unbeaten on 53 off 44 deliveries, in a knock laced with seven boundaries, on Day 3 as he propelled the visitors to 94/1 in 15 overs along with Kusal Mendis.
Nissanka also played smoothly on Day 4 as England managed only the scalp of Kusal Mendis before Sri Lanka cruised to victory comfortably with eight wickets to spare.
You can watch the boundary below:
With the win, the island nation secured their fourth Test win in England and denied the Englishmen a chance of a clean sweep in the summer. The Galle-born opening batter also became the first Sri Lankan to score a century in the fourth innings of a Test.
"I had a positive mindset and went with that" - Pathum Nissanka
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Nissanka, who had replaced Nishan Madushka for the third Test, said he only focused on playing his normal game. He said:
"It was a great opportunity to play in England. I enjoyed that innings. It was slightly difficult in the morning but I had a positive mindset and went with that. Just wanted to play my normal game."
Kamindu Mendis earned the Player of the Series award from Sri Lanka's side for racking up 267 runs in five innings at 53.40. Joe Root did so for the hosts and emerged as the series' highest run-getter with 375 runs in six innings, averaging 75, including a couple of tons. The former skipper also broke Sir Alastair Cook's record of most Test centuries for England.
The eight-wicket win at The Oval also took Sri Lanka above England in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.