Seam bowler Mohammad Asif claimed 11 wickets for 71 runs to propel Pakistan to an eight-wicket victory on Wednesday in the second Test and a 1-0 series win against Sri Lanka.
Set a modest 183-run target, Pakistan cruised to victory in the second session of the third day with seven full sessions to play.
Younis Khan made an unbeaten 73 off 98 balls, including 12 fours, while Imran Farhat scored 65 in 109 balls to help the visitors overhaul the home team and seal a 1-0 win in the two-match Test series. The first match was drawn.
Asif grabbed six wickets for 44 runs in the first innings and returned 5-27 in a sensational second spell for his first 10-wicket Test haul.
Asif rattled Sri Lanka's batting order in the second innings with an aggressive spell to steal the advantage from the hosts, who batted with a 109-run, first innings lead.
He bowled Upul Tharanga (12), Kumar Sangakkara (16) and Thilan Samaraweera (4), and later trapped Ferveez Maharoof lbw and had Tillakaratne Dilshan caught by wicketkeeper Akmal to finish the second day.
Asif's seam bowling partner Abdul Razzaq took just one ball on the third morning to dismiss tailender Muttiah Muralitharan, who heaved a catch to Umar Gul without adding to the overnight total of 73. Razzaq returned figures of 4-20.
{{/usCountry}}Asif's seam bowling partner Abdul Razzaq took just one ball on the third morning to dismiss tailender Muttiah Muralitharan, who heaved a catch to Umar Gul without adding to the overnight total of 73. Razzaq returned figures of 4-20.
{{/usCountry}}Sanath Jayasuriya who cut his finger webbing and dislocated his thumb taking a catch on the second day, did not bat in the second innings, ending his 15-year Test career.
On Tuesday offspinner Muralitharan's 5-39 helped Sri Lanka dismiss Pakistan for 170 and earn a comfortable first innings lead after being dismissed for 279 in its first innings. It was a bowlers' paradise at Asgiriya Stadium as 20 wickets fell during the second day.
Scoreboard:
Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 279, Pakistan 1st Innings: 170, Sri Lanka 2nd Innings:(Overnight: 73 for eight) Upul Tharanga b Asif 12, Kumar Sangakkara b Asif 16, Mahela Jayawardene b Razzaq 15, Thilan Samaraweera b Asif 4, Tillakaratne Dilshan c Akmal b Asif 11, Ferveez Maharoof lbw b Asif 1, Malinga Bandara c Akmal b Razzaq 4, Nuwan Kulasekera c Gul b Razzaq 6, Lasith Malinga not out 0, Muttiah Muralitharan c Gul b Razzaq 0, Sanath Jayasuriya retired, Extras: (lb-3, w-1) 4, Total: (all out in 24.5 overs) 73.
Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-40, 3-46, 4-56, 5-57, 6-65, 7-72, 8-73, 9-73.
Bowling: Mohammad Asif 12-6-27-5, Rao Ifthikar 3-1-8-0, Umar Gul 3-0-15-0, Abdul Razzaq 6.5-1-20-4.
Pakistan 2nd Innings: Imran Farhat c Jayawardene b Kulasekera 65, Kamran Akmal c Sangakkara b Malinga 24, Younis Khan not out 73, Mohammad Yousuf not out 14, Extras: (lb-3, nb-4) 7, Total: (For two wickets in 43.2 overs) 183.
Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-152.
Bowling: Ferveez Maharoof 10-0-52-0, Nuwan Kulasekera 12-3-34-1, Lasith Malinga 6.2-0-33-1, Muttiah Muralitharan 13-3-46-0, Malinga Bandara 2-0-15-0.
Umpires: Steve Davis (Australia), and Daryl Harper (Australia). TV Umpire: Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka). Match Referee: Alan Hurst (Australia).
Toss: Pakistan. Result: Pakistan win by eight wickets. Series: Pakistan win 1-0.