Sri Lanka have moved into the top three of ICC WTC Points Table after thrashing Pakistan by 246 runs in the second at Galle International Stadium, Galle. The win also helped the hosts draw level in the two-match series after losing the first Test.
Chasing an improbable target of 508, Pakistan began day five on 89 for 1 with Imam-ul-Haq and skipper Babar Azam starting the proceedings with the bat. The two could add only eight runs to the overnight score before Ramesh Mendis struck on his first ball of the day to get Imam caught behind for 49.
Babar and Mohammad Rizwan then steadied the ship with a fifty-plus stand. Prabath Jayasuriya, who took one wicket on day four, then put Sri Lanka on top by dismissing Rizwan for 35 before Fawad Alam was run out for one.
Pakistan lost one more wicket before the end of first session to find themselves reeling at 188 for 5. Babar, in the meantime, went on to complete another fifty but he too could not save his side.
The visitors could add only 17 runs after lunch before Jayasuriya struck again to remove Babar for 81 and all but ended Pakistan’s hopes of saving the game. Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually all out for 261.
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For Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya was the standout performer with the ball once again as he picked up 5 wickets while fellow spinner Mendis picked up 4 wickets.
Earlier in the game, Sri Lanka had scored 378 in their first innings. In reply, Pakistan were all out for just 231. The hosts then put up another fine display with the bat in the second innings and declared on 360 for 8.
ICC WTC Points Table: Updated Table After Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Test:
Following the second Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Test, the former have moved to the third spot in the ICC WTC Points Table. Pakistan, on the other hand, have dropped to the fifth spot. Before the match began, Sri Lanka were at the sixth spot while Pakistan were at third spot.
South Africa are currently leading the ICC WTC Points Table followed by Australia. India, on the other hand, are at the fourth spot. The top two teams will qualify for the ICC WTC final next year.
Here is the ICC WTC Points Table after the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Test:
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | NR | Points | PCT |
| 1 | South Africa | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 71.43 |
| 2 | Australia | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 84 | 70 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 53.33 |
| 4 | India | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 75 | 52.08 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 56 | 51.85 |
| 6 | West Indies | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 50 |
| 7 | England | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 64 | 33.33 |
| 8 | New Zealand | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 25.93 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 10 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 13.33 |