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That is all we have from this enthralling Test match then. Not too long before the two sides meet again. Pakistan will be confident to carry this momentum and seal the series while Sri Lanka will now have to comeback to draw level. Remember, they did it against Australia not too long ago and we can expect something similar, which sets it up for another exciting Test match. For the moment though, this has been Manaas and myself (Rishab) as we take your leave on behalf of the entire team. Do join us back for all the coverage from the second Test and until then, do not miss out on all the other action. Stay tuned and take care!
Babar Azam: First of all thanks to the almighty.We had to put pressure on them and bowlers did well. We tried to build partnerships but we lost back to back wickets. The bowlers helped me a lot at the backend. As we know this wicket has always helped spinners on day four and five so we know how to play and had planned how to chase. We tried to build partnerships. As a youngster he is showing class and temperament. I am confident on him (on Abdullah Shafique).
Dimuth Karunaratne: I think the first innings score we had to put up a big score and put more pressure. We bowled well in the first innings but when we bowled again we could not support Prabath on the other end. Chasing this score is not easy and we had to put pressure on the other end. I think after the third day when the last man was batting he supported Babar well and that is the area that we have to put pressure on them. As a bowling unit we need to give more support to Prabath. He is capable of bowling long overs and this is the time that he has to put his hand up and he did great. He has bowled good areas and that's what I liked about him. Playing 100 Test matches is remarkable ( on Angelo Matthews) and we need to correct our mistakes and take advantage!
Abdullah Shafique, Player of the Match: First of all I would thank the almighty. We were able to chase the score and I am happy about that. Congratulations to all my teammates. The plan was simple that we had to go for the chase and it was difficult but we spent time out there and it got easier. It was a good experience for me as well. When the spinners are bowling with the new ball it is difficult for us to manage but as it gets old it becomes easier for us to score runs. He is one of the best and I learn a lot from him (on batting with Babar Azam). It is quite enjoyable!
Well, who would have imagined Pakistan would comeback in such fashion to go on and win this game eventually! A stiff target to chase for them and the record at this venue in the fourth innings hasn't been quite promising for the batting side either. However, they have batted extremely well in difficult conditions, showing everyone how it is done and this has been a magnificent run-chase, one of the finest quality you will ever see.
Abdullah Shafique proving his worth, carrying his bat throughout the chase and it was only fitting that he wrapped the game up for them as well. A terrific effort from the youngster and he has played a match-winning knock for his side, making sure he was out there all the while and took his side over the line.
A stiff target of 342 runs and it was never going to be easy to pull it off. Important contributions on the way from Imam-Ul-Haq, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as well. They were set back in the first innings and to show such character and grit to comeback from there is exceptional, which makes this win even special and worthy of the record. The conditions were good enough for the Sri Lanka spinners but the Pakistan batters showed great quality and handled the spin really well.
Sri Lanka would certainly have felt they had enough on the board to defend. However, it was once again just about the one man - Prabath Jayasuriya, who gave it his all, picking up four wickets in the second innings. He could not get enough support from the rest of the bowlers though, which is where Sri Lanka probably lost the game. The bowlers were put off their radar under pressure and were inconsistent throughout the game.
A memorable win for Pakistan then, playing in difficult conditions, being pushed behind and coming back under a lot of pressure. This will do the side of a lot of good going forward and they will want to carry on the momentum into the second game as well. It was been a closely contested game but Pakistan have been the better team at the end!
That will be it. Pakistan pull off a record run-chase in Galle to go 1-0 up in the series as well. The highest run-chase at tis venue, and their second highest chase too. A terrific effort as they win with 4 wickets to spare and they will be mighty pleased to have comeback in such fashion!
127.2 Prabath Jayasuriya to Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan have done it! A record run-chase at Galle and the second-highest ever against Sri Lanka! A magnificent effort from Shafique and he has played an innings of utmost temperament and sheer class. It is fitting that he gets to finish the match. Did not celebrate his 150-run milestone but does celebrate after scoring the winning runs, soaking in all the applause after raising his bat. It was a shortish delivery on the middle stump line, allowing Shafique to rock onto the back-foot and to slap that through the covers. The batters complete a couple of runs and it completes a historic run-chase from Pakistan here!
127.1 Prabath Jayasuriya to Abdullah Shafique, full ball outside off spinning away, Shafique shuffles across and looks to sweep it but to no avail.
Tight from Theekshana coming back into the attack. Pakistan steadily inching towards the target and he fails to finish the over well though. The visitors are nearly there now. Just a couple of runs away from a magnificent win at Galle!
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B Azam
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A Mathews
Galle International Stadium
Abdullah Shafique
Maheesh Theekshana
