GALLE: Pakistan won opening Test match against Sri Lanka by 4 wickets.
Even though Sri Lanka managed to take three wickets on the final morning, Pakistan was able to successfully chase down the runs before noon, making the victory target of 131 a straightforward formality.
As the game came to a close, Imam-ul-Haq (50*) and Agha Salman (6*) were still unbeaten, giving Pakistan a flawless start to their new World Test Championship campaign.
When Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq came to the crease, Pakistan was 48-3 and had resumed their run chase of 131 runs. Azam hit five fours while scoring 24 runs in just 28 balls before being caught by Prabath Jayasuriya in front of the stumps.
Even Saud Shakeel, who had a double century in the first innings, couldn’t hold out until the very end since he was out after 30 runs in 38 balls.
Sarfraz Ahmed was lost when Pakistan needed five runs to win. Salman Ali Agha then entered the crease and helped his team win by four wickets by striking a big six off the first ball he faced.
In the second innings, Jayasuriya picked up four wickets for Sri Lanka, giving him a total of seven for the game.
With a 100% win rate following their first match in the current cycle, Pakistan and India now share the top spot in the World Test Championship standings.
When the second Test against Sri Lanka begins in Colombo on Monday, Pakistan will be aiming to keep their perfect record.
Due to Australia victory against India in the World Test Championship Final (2021-23) last month at The Oval, Babar’s team was unable to advance.
