Opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq hit an unbeaten 50 to steer Pakistan house in a difficult chase of 131 in opposition to Sri Lanka and win the primary Test by 4 wickets on Thursday.
The vacationer began the ultimate day on 48-3 and misplaced three extra wickets, together with skipper Babar Azam for twenty-four off Prabath Jayasuriya, earlier than it achieved the goal within the first session.
Haq began the day on 25 and remained calm with Azam after which left-handed companion Saud Shakeel, who made a brisk 30 after his unbeaten 208 in Pakistan’s first innings.
Left-arm spinner Jayasuriya took 4 wickets, together with two on the night of day 4, to provide the host a glimmer of hope, however Haq stood agency.
Azam got here out roaring as he hit a boundary off the primary ball of the day and seemed fluent in his 28-ball keep earlier than being trapped lbw by Jayasuriya.
Shakeel took on the bowlers as properly, however offspinner Ramesh Mendis bought him caught behind.
Haq reached his eighth Test fifty earlier than falling to Jayasuriya, however Agha Salman got here out to hit the successful six.
Shakeel stood out for his maiden Test double century in Pakistan’s 461 all-out and a helpful first-innings lead of 149 within the rain-hit match.
Pakistan spinners Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed made it depend with three wickets every on Wednesday to assist bowl out Sri Lanka for 279 regardless of Dhananjaya de Silva’s cussed 82.
De Silva made 122 in Sri Lanka’s first innings of 312 after the host elected to bat first, however quickly Pakistan took management.
Pakistan tempo spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi took a match haul of 5 wickets on his return to Tests since a knee harm put him out of motion a 12 months in the past on the similar venue.
The second match of the two-Test collection begins Monday in Colombo.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com