Sri Lanka took over Pakistan their first Test series defeat since they made the UAE their home venue in 2010 when they beat them by 68 runs with more than two sessions to spare on the fifth and final day to win the second Test played at the Dubai International Stadium and thereby clinch the two-match series 2-0.
Pakistan chasing 317 for victory lost half their side for 62 but were given a new lease of life by their sixth wicket pair Asad Shafiq and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed who figured in a record sixth wicket stand of 173 to raise their team’s hopes of a series levelling win. But with the match in the balance going into the final day – Sri Lanka requiring five Pakistani wickets and Pakistan 119 runs with Shafiq and Sarfraz at the wickets the Test was set for an enthralling finish.
However batting on a fifth day wicket was always tricky and so it proved as Pakistan were bowled out for 248 with off-spinner Dilruwan Perera taking over the role of destroyer from the great Rangana Herath by finishing with figures of 5 for 98 – his fifth five-for in his career and his second against Pakistan. As in the first innings it was a concerted performance by their bowlers that brought Sri Lanka this memorable win. It was Sri Lanka’s first win over Pakistan in an away series since 2000 when they won 2-1 under the captaincy of Sanath Jayasuriya in Pakistan.
