Sri Lanka needed little more than 26 overs to beat Pakistan for a series-levelling seven-wicket victory in the second test on Monday. Dimuth Karunaratne (50) got Sri Lanka off to a flying start before adding 72 runs for the third wicket with skipper Angelo Mathews (43 not out) as the hosts chased down the 153-run target with some aggressive batting.
Eager to wrap up the victory, Sri Lanka promoted Kithuruwan Vithanage (34) to the opener’s slot and the batsman’s quick fire 23-ball cameo set the tone for a successful chase.
“We wanted to bat positively because we never know when the rain is going to come,” Mathews said at the presentation ceremony.
After heavy rain had washed out Sunday’s entire final session and delayed the final day’s start, Vithanage signalled his team’s intention by hitting the first ball of the day for a boundary.
But Vithanage perished trying to slog-sweep Babar over midwicket with Mohammad Hafeez taking the skier.
Yasir Shah then dismissed the retiring Kumar Sangakkara for a golden duck with a delivery that hit the batsman’s glove and thigh pad en route to Azhar Ali’s hands at short leg.
With the threat of rain looming large and grounds men ready to rush in with the covers, Karunaratne and Mathews kept scoring briskly.
Karunaratne completed his sixth test 50 and was trapped leg before soon after by Shah, a decision the batsman instantly reviewed but could not get overturned.
Lahiru Thirimanne (20 not out) hit a boundary in the 28th over to seal the victory against Pakistan.
