Opener Imam-ul-Haq anchored Pakistan’s nervy chase with an unbeaten half-century as they beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets within the opening check in Galle on Thursday.
Chasing 131 for victory, Pakistan slumped to 79-4 after skipper Babar Azam fell to left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who claimed 4-56 within the second innings.
Imam mixed with Saud Shakeel to regular the ship however Sri Lanka refused to throw within the towel regardless of not having sufficient runs to defend.
Shakeel, who made a career-best 208 not out within the first innings, fell for 30 and Sarfaraz Ahmed (one) didn’t final lengthy both.
Imam remained unbeaten on 50 watched from the opposite finish as Agha Salman secured Pakistan’s victory in fashion hitting the primary ball he confronted, from Jayasuriya, over the mid-off boundary.
Shakeel, whose maiden check double hundred fetched Pakistan a decisive first-innings lead of 149, was adjudged Player of the Match.
“The way Saud and Agha played, it totally changed the game,” Babar stated referring to their 177-run partnership, which helped Pakistan publish 461 within the first innings.
“It’s not easy to bat in Galle, but the way Saud’s playing is outstanding.”
Sri Lanka’s prime order couldn’t vindicate their resolution to bat first and so they reached 312 of their first innings courtesy Dhananjaya de Silva’s gallant 122.
“We needed to see off that opening spell but we lost a few wickets,” residence captain Dimuth Karunaratne stated.
“Overall, the bowlers did well, but we dropped a few catches and that cost us. We have to assess what went wrong and come back again.”
The groups transfer to Colombo for the second and ultimate check starting on Monday.
