3 reasons Pakistan won the second Test against Sri Lanka

The match had its fair share of twists and turns but the hosts came out on top come day five

Test cricket is back in Pakistan and the fans in the country are over cloud nine due to the development. The nearly-full stadium on Saturday and Sunday showed how much the cricketing fans of the country were missing the game in Karachi and in the country.

Winners 🏆 🇵🇰#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/B5Wa4rJlgy

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 23, 2019

The icing on the cake however was the 1-0 series win where Pakistan beat the visiting Islanders by 263 runs to bag a massive win and in the process lift the silverware on home soil after more than 10 years.

The second Test also proved to be an entertaining encounter with twists and turns which assured that the fans stayed in the ground and everyone was stuck to the TV to see what will happen next.

Comment: PCB finally passes the management Test

Pakistan won the Test courtesy some great bowling and batting displays in the second match at the National Stadium of Karachi, and here the three things that Azhar Ali and co did right.

1. Batting showed fight

Pakistani batting line-up, the perennial pariah for the Men in Green, was once again seen dwindling when Azhar opted to bat first on Thursday.

Man of the Match ✅
Man of the Series ✅

Well done @AbidAli_Real 👏🏼 👏🏼#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/9fvZihuBSf

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 23, 2019

The hosts were unable to cross the 200-run mark even, with only 191 on the board and that too courtesy some responsible batting by ever-reliant Babar Azam (60) and veteran batsman Asad Shafiq (63).

Sri Lanka then scored 271, bagging an 80-run lead but Pakistani batting, after a very long time showed grit and performed when the team needed it the most.

These centuries, especially for Shan and Azhar, will help Pakistan top-order’s confidence a lot as they go forward.

2. Centuries help confidence

The second innings saw Pakistani batsmen scoring four centuries as the whole top order contributed runs to the total.

Recorded! #PAKvSL https://t.co/TzUTNxeSBb pic.twitter.com/Wwm1sJYQy8

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 23, 2019

Opener Abid Ali (174) and Shan Masood (135) broke many records with their 278-run stand, while captain Azhar, who has been failing on again and again to inspire the team, finally came to the party with 175-ball 118.

Tests in Pakistan boost long-format’s revival

Babar was the usual suspect in the century-makers list with his 100 coming off 131 balls.

The four batsmen saw Pakistan to 555-3 before Pakistan declared the innings.

3. Naseem, Shaheen click at the right time

Naseem Shah’s pace in unmatched at the moment and Pakistan, when the Sri Lankan tail was exposed during the visitors second innings on day five, Azhar gave the ball to him to finish the proceedings.

Earlier on day four, the express pacer was also seen clocking 140kmph regularly in order to bag three wickets and take the match towards last day with Pakistan firmly poised for a victory.

Fifer ✅
Name on NSK Honours Board ✅

Well bowled @iNaseemShah 👏#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/oNjzoHIzPX

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 23, 2019

Shaheen’s five-for in the first innings meanwhile was also much-needed as Pakistan needed to restrict the Islanders on as low a score as possible.

Both will be happy to have their names written on the honours board the NSK and more than that they will take the confidence forward when other teams come calling.