
Misbahul Haq, Azhar Ali help Pakistan accomplish their second highest Test run chase and level the series 1-1 with Sri Lanka. PHOTOS: AFP
KARACHI: Pakistan chased down a target of 302 runs in the last two sessions to clinch a thrilling five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, and level the three-match series 1-1 to avoid an embarrassing series defeat.
It was an intriguing last day of the final Test in Sharjah that saw the visitors slumping from a good position to a loss, following heroics by middle-order batsman Azhar Ali.
Sri Lanka, despite a batting collapse on the day, managed to post a challenging target of 302 runs for the final two sessions for the hosts who needed to score over five runs per over.
Not many expected a successful run-chase but Pakistan made it happen with an aggressive display of batting.
Azhar who was struggling for runs found form at the right time and scored 103 runs to anchor the run-chase. He was involved in important partnerships with wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed and his captain Misbahul Haq after Pakistan lost three wickets for 97 runs.
Sarfraz chipped in with an impressive 48 from 46 deliveries to help in an 80-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Misbah who struck half-century in the first innings continued with his form and scored an unbeaten 67, including the winning shot. The skipper combined with Azhar to post vital 109 runs for the sixth wicket.
The win will also be a befitting sendoff for coach Dav Whatmore, whose contract is set to expire in February.
Starting the run-chase, Khurram Manzoor and Ahmed Shahzad made 35 for the opening wicket in 6.3 overs before the latter fell on 21. Manzoor was also dismissed on 21 while Younus Khan’s (29) dismissal reduced Pakistan to 97 for three.
Earlier needing just a draw to win series, Sri Lanka took the field on final day with a lead of 220 runs with a score of 133 for five. However, the tourists could add 81 more runs as they were bowled out for 214.
They started the day well with overnight duo captain Angelo Matthews and Prasanna Jayawardene making 62 runs for the sixth wicket partnership, taking overall lead to 276.
However, Matthews dismissal off fast bowler Mohammad Talha sparked a collapse that saw the visitors losing their last six wickets for just 25 runs.
Abdur Rehman (4-56), Saeed Ajmal (3-53) and Talha (3-65) were the wicket-takers.
Just look at other news in the paper and we will see that this is the darkest time in Pakistan’s already not so bright history. If there ever was an existential threat to Pakistan then this is it. And in the midst of all that Misbah and team bring some sanity and some joy to the hapless people. For that they deserve our respect. Hope it give some motivation to our Govt to take the people of Pakistan along with them and save this country.Recommend
finest run chase in modern history. Take a bow Azhar Ali, Misbah and Sarfraz. 195 in final session of a test match where ball was sinning and bouncing too. Simply WOW.Recommend
We really are unpredictable.
Pakistan Zindabad . Recommend
Great Victory Pakistan!Recommend
Congrats Team Pakistan !!!! Recommend
Congratulations Pakistan – You pulled off an incredible, improbable victory to level the series. Well played Team Pakistan!
Abdul Quddus
DET-United States Central CommandRecommend
Predictably the most unpredictable team!
well done guys. Recommend
Wow just wow….well played team PakistanRecommend
Though I love visiting this site ofter to get a different perspective, I hardly ever leave comments.
But this time, I really am moved to say: Very well done guys, U were awesome! Congratulations!Recommend
Angelo mattews’s tactics reminded me of Moin Khan against England in Karachi test.Recommend
congrats .pk Recommend
with no home cricket, mess and confusion in the board, no infrastructure in the country,,,, our Team has performed a miracle,, Zindabad Pakistan Recommend
In the process of winning our team also scored the fastest 300 plus runs in the history of test cricket. Misbah you beauty!!Recommend
Shabaash Pakistan !!!Recommend
Srilanka got trolled! Srilanka pulled a Pakistan today by being ultra defensive and blocking ball after without even scoring a single run. Lankans played into Pakistan hands by trying to sit pretty and preserving their 1-0 lead at all costs.Recommend
BAD LIGHT: Sri Lankans cannot see this articleRecommend
If only the empty stands and stadium of Sharjah was actually a adrenaline packed stadium in Karachi or Lahore would this victory be as memorable as it should have been! Our boys showed great fight today and for that we all should be proud!Recommend
Well done Pakistan. Performances like these are needed to keep the evil nexus of BCCI/ECB/CA at bay. Well done Azhar Ali. Recommend
A silver lining over the dark clouds hovering over Pakistan. Recommend
Misbah should join politics. :PRecommend
Today negative cricket lost and positive cricket won. Way to go Misbah and the team – you have made the entire country proud. Simply breathtaking!Recommend
Amazing effort! Fastest 300+ run chase in test history!Recommend
Thank you Dav Whatmore for doing your best with the team. We won several ODI series including against South Africa under you, and while we did not win a test series, we managed to improve as a test team and pulled off some amazing wins. This win along with the test win over South Africa has to be one of the best. Thanks again and best of luck in future.Recommend
Misbah is not tuk-tuk. Misbah is Mr. Pakistan!
Recommend