Sri Lanka won the first Test against Pakistan by 21 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
In a thrilling match, Rangana Herath picked up six wickets in the second innings to spin the game in Sri Lanka’s favour. In the process of winning the match for the Lankan’s, Herath became the first left-arm spinner to pick up 400 Test wickets and the 13th bowler overall to achieve the feat. Also, it was the lowest total Sri Lanka has ever defended in Test matches.
Sri Lanka came into the series at the back of a 9-0 loss at the hands of India at home. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. The visitors were all out for 419, courtesy of a brilliant captain’s knock of 155 unbeaten by Dinesh Chandimal.
Pakistan started well, as they picked up three quick wickets, to begin the proceedings with. However, a solid partnership between Karunaratne and Chandimal steadied the innings, as Karunaratne fell short by seven runs of a well-deserved century. Chandimal was later joined by Niroshan Dickwella who also scored a well made 83 runs.
Chandimal played a very patient 372 balls 155 runs innings which took Sri Lanka to a huge total of 419. For Pakistan, Mohammed Amir bowled well, but was wicketless in both the innings. Mohammed Abbas and Yasir Shah both picked up three wickets each in the first innings. Abbas impressed with his quick and disciplined bowling.
Pakistan replied strongly with the bat in the first innings and took a three-run lead, as they were also all out for 422. Despite this big score, none of the batsmen was able to convert their starts and score a century. Azhar Ali was the top scorer with 85 runs. Haris Sohail had the wonderful debut, as he scored 76 in the first innings. Herath starred in the first innings too as he picked up a fifer.
Contrary to the first innings, the second innings was not at all high scoring, as Sri Lanka was bundled out for 138 setting up a target of 136 for Pakistan. As the pitch began to deteriorate on day four, Yasir Shah took full advantage of the conditions and picked up five wickets in the innings.
Rangana Herath then claimed 11 wickets and the match, as he rammed through the Pakistani batting lineup in the second innings and picked up six wickets in the innings. Sarfraz Ahmed tried to steer his team to victory but failed to do so, as he was stumped trying to take the aggressive route. It was the lowest target Pakistan failed to achieve. Haris Sohail top scored with 34 runs in the second innings.
Herath was adjudged as man of the match for his 11 wickets. He also became the second fastest bowler to get to 400 wickets only behind Dale Steyn. The second Test will be a Day/Night Test match to be played in Dubai.