Pakistan pulled off the highest successful run chase in Galle to take a 1-0 lead in the Test series.
Chasing 342 in the final innings, the visitors reach 222/3 at the close of play on Day 4 with opener Abdullah Shafique unbeaten on 112. They needed 120 runs on the final day with seven wickets in hand and Shafique stayed there till the end to seal the deal for Pakistan.
After bowling Sri Lanka out for 337 in their second innings, Pakistan got off to a positive start with 87-run opening stand between Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq. However, the hosts bounced back in the game with the wickets of Imam (35) and Azhar Ali (6) in quick succession.
Amid the tense situation, skipper Babar Azam (55) and Shafique's 101-run stand put Pakistan in a commanding position.
Sri Lanka could have turn the game on its head with a few quick wickets on a turning pitch on Day 5 but it wasn’t the case as Abdullah Shafique (160*) along with Mohammad Rizwan (40) and Mohammad Nawaz (19*) took the tourists over the line.
With this victory, Pakistan didn’t only take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series but also pulled off the highest successful run chase in Galle.
Cricket fraternity lauded Abdullah Shafique and the entire Pakistan team for holding their nerves in the record run chase.
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