Twitter Reactions

'Yea toh miracle hogaya'- Fans react as Pakistan defeats Sri Lanka to win their first Test match in 365 days

Pakistan has joined India at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after defeating Sri Lanka by four wickets.

author-image
Daniel S
New Update
Pakistan

Pakistan (Source: Twitter)

With a dominant four-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle on Thursday, Pakistan has joined India at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Imam-ul-Haq produced an undefeated 50 to help Pakistan complete their difficult 131-run chase against Sri Lanka.

The visitors were 48-3 at the start of the final day and lost three more wickets, including skipper Babar Azam for 24 from Prabath Jayasuriya, before reaching the target in the first session. Jayasuriya, a left-arm spinner, claimed four wickets, including two on the evening of day four, giving the host some hope.

Saud Shakeel shines for Pakistan

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka's first innings saw a superb batting showing led by Angelo Matthews and Dhananjaya de Silva. Matthews provided 64 runs off 109 balls, while de Silva showed extraordinary tenacity, scoring 122 runs off 214 balls. The Pakistani bowlers, on the other hand, limited the hosts' innings to 312 runs, with Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi each taking three wickets.

In response, Pakistan's batters proved their worth with a mammoth total of 461 runs. Saud Shakeel's magnificent double hundred was the highlight of their innings. Shakeel was a rock-solid presence at the wicket, hitting 208 runs from 361 balls. Shakeel also became the first Pakistani cricketer to achieve a double century on Sri Lankan territory as a result of the accomplishment. He was assisted by Agha Salman, who scored 83 runs off 113 balls to help Pakistan take a commanding lead. Ramesh Mendis was the standout Sri Lankan bowler, with a spectacular fifer for 136 runs.

Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed of Pakistan took three wickets apiece on Wednesday to help bowl out Sri Lanka for 279, despite Dhananjaya de Silva's tenacious 82. Shaheen Shah Afridi took a match haul of five wickets on his return to Tests since a knee injury put him out of action a year ago at the same venue. Pakistan will try to keep their unbeaten record when the second Test against Sri Lanka begins on Monday in Colombo.

Here's how fans reacted

 

Cricket News Saud Shakeel