Match Details

PAK vs SL 1st Match, SL vs PAK 2022

PAK

218-1090.5

Pakistan won by 4 wickets 🏆

66.1222-10

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That's it from this Test match as Pakistan takes a 1-0 lead in the 2-match Test series. A quick turnaround for both teams as the teams stay at Galle for the second Test match on Sunday 24th of July. Do join us for that Test match and for all other matches happening across the globe in our network.

This is Ayan Chatterjee signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Saipavan Janaki, and Ishan Lalwani, alongside our scorer/analyst Dushyant Madhukar. Stay safe, happy, and cool. Until we meet again, here's bidding you goodbye and CHEERS!

Babar Azam Pakistan Winning Captain: "First of all thanks to the all mighty for this win. I think the bowlers did the job with the ball. Then batting we tried in the first innings we lost wickets and then the tail-enders helped us to get closer to them. I was surprised by how the pitch behaved. But we prepared well in the nets and it showed that today. I felt my preparation was good and so was Abdullah's and so happy it bore fruit. I think he played well and I am happy for him, he is a youngster for us and the way he applied himself in his sixth Test match and the temperament he showed was something that he and the entire team is proud of. We are happy with the win and look forward to sealing the series in the next Test."

Dimuth Karunaratne Sri Lanka Losing Captain: "I think, I said the first thing we put the good score but they really bowled well in the first inning and we also batted well in the second inning and this pitch day 4 chasing 342 is not easy they batted well. I think when they batted after the 3rd day bit of flat pitch and the Shafique batted well and we couldn't get him and over 300 is a big score for the target. Jayasuriya bowled loads of over and he did a great job even though he bowled 30-35 over and but he is good. (Mathews) Playing the 100th test match is one of the remarkable moments and we all are trying to do that and we all want to correct the mistakes."

Abdullah Shafique | Player of the Match: "First of all, thanks to Allah almighty, happy to chase the big total and play that kind of innings. The plan was simple, we have to chase it down, it was a bit difficult early on but after spending some time it got easier, a good experience for me, When spinners were bowlers with a new ball, they were turning sharply. He (Babar) is one of the best batters in the world, really enjoyed things here."

14:40 IST: What a sensational chase by Pakistan here at Galle. It is a record chase at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. It is the second highest chase against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and both by Pakistan. They deserve it as they win by 4 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the 2-Test match series. Abdullah Shafique, you are a star! 160 unbeaten off 408 balls with 7 fours and 1 six to his name. He has guided Pakistan to a famous win for Pakistan.

Pakistan started the day at 222-3 needing a further 120 runs for the win. Abdullah Shafique resumed on 112 while Mohammed Rizwan resumed on 7. Pakistan dominated the first hour and a bit playing positive cricket. Rizwan, in particular, looked busy and scored runs at a fair clip. The duo took the score to 276 before Rizwan was trapped LBW to a ball that kept low from that man who has bowled a marathon spell Prabath Jayasuriya. Agha came in and hung around for a 35-ball 12 before he was caught behind at the stroke of Lunch by Prabath Jayasuriya who got his fourth wicket. The players went to Lunch at 298-5 needing a further 44 for the win.

Hasan Ali was promoted up the order and that lasted for a short while as after hitting a boundary, he went to slog across the line and top-edged it high up in the air for the catch to be taken by Maheesh Theekshana in the deep. Abdullah Shafique kept it going for Pakistan and got to his maiden 150 in Test Cricket. A big moment in the game arrived when Shafique slogged across the line and top-edged the ball high in the air of Dhananjaya de Silva’s bowling with 19 needed to win, but Kasun Rajitha in the deep put down a sitter to give Abdullah Shafique a life here. He was unbeaten on 154 off 202 balls while Mohammad Nawaz has just joined him and is unbeaten on 12 off 24 balls when the heavens opened up. The rain had arrived with 11 runs needed for Pakistan and 4 wickets required for Sri Lanka. This only delayed the inevitable as after an hour's delay play resumed and Nawaz with an unbeaten 19 off 34 balls alongside Abdullah Shafique who remained unbeaten on 160 off 408 balls. It was fitting that he hit the winning runs for Pakistan and they can rejoice and cherish this victory.

From Sri Lanka's point of view, only one man stood out. Prabath Jayasuriya as he delivered 56.2 marathon overs and gave away 135 runs for his four wickets. But he was not supported by the others around him. Theekshana didn't bowl much due to his finger injury while Ramesh Mendis was inconsistent, to say the least. Kasun Rajitha wasn't even used today which was a surprise to some of us. Mendis did take a wicket and so did Dhananjaya de Silva, but Pakistan were too good in the end.

So, an unbeaten 41-run stand-off 78 balls enable Pakistan to win by 4 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series. It's time now for the post-match presentation ceremony that comes your way now.

Ishan: Pakistan have finally done it, they have won the test by four wickets and they are now 1-0 up in the series. After Sri Lanka's second innings it looked like the host should be able to defend that but it seems like the trend in Test Cricket has now changed. Sides are chasing big totals in the fourth innings on a regular basis.

Ishan: Record run chase at Galle International stadium, what an innings this is from Abdullah Shafique. Not to forget Babar Azam's hundred in the first innings along with his 10th wicket partnership Naseem Shah.

127.2 P Jayasuriya to A Shafique

4 FOUR!!! WINNING RUNS!!! Length delivery pitched on the off stump line and turned towards the outside off, Shafique goes deep in his crease and cuts it towards the deep cover region for four runs.

127.1 P Jayasuriya to A Shafique

0 Fuller delivery, turned away from the batter and Shafique gets down on one knee and tries it to sweep but misses.

OVER 127

Pakistan

340/6

Mohammad Nawaz

19(34)

Abdullah Shafique

156(406)

Maheesh Theekshana

0-44(14.0)

126.6 M Theekshana to M Nawaz

0 Flighted outside off, that was bowled slower in the air, Nawaz swung his bat hard in order to play that towards on side, missed the hoick and the keeper will gather that.

126.5 M Theekshana to M Nawaz

4 Four!!! only two more runs to go 1-0 up for Pakistan. That was drifted on the leg stump he just paddled that towards fine leg for four. Absolutely smart batting this if from Nawaz.

126.4 M Theekshana to M Nawaz

0 Fullish on the stumps, defended towards short leg for no run.

126.3 M Theekshana to M Nawaz

0 Fuller, on the stumps, defended on the place.

126.2 M Theekshana to A Shafique

1 Pitched that outside off, played that towards cover for a run.

126.1 M Theekshana to M Nawaz

1 Theekshana started with a proper leg spin delivery on the middle and leg, and played that towards short fine leg for a run.