Magician Rangana helps Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 21 runs in first Test

‘Magician’ Rangana Herath spun an online round batsmen to inflict Pakistan’s first loss at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium within the UAE Capital.

A collective effort from Herath (6 for 43 runs) and Dilruwan Perera (three for 46 runs) meant Sri Lanka have been capable of clinch a dramatic 21-run victory over Pakistan within the first Take a look at of two-match Take a look at collection on Monday.

The 39 year-old together with his match whole of 11 for 136 runs grew to become the primary left-arm spinner to take 400 wickets. Taking his 100th wicket in opposition to Pakistan ensured the house aspect have been unable to chase a 136-run goal.

The result, which noticed a proud residence document tarnished, just isn’t what Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed would have anticipated earlier than the beginning of the ultimate day’s play.

Nevertheless, after 4 days of slumber, the Take a look at match roared to life because the Day 5 pitch assisted spinners and pacers in equal measure. There was uneven bounce, sharp flip and motion, and wickets fell like home of playing cards. The demons of Abu Dhabi pitch had woken up on the judgement day to pressure a end in in any other case drab classes to date.

Batsmen wanted to spend time within the center to attain however nearly all of them lacked intent and starvation to take action. Bowlers, alternatively, bought sufficient assist from cracks on the pitch to scalp some 16 wickets.

Beginning the ultimate day at 69 for 4, Sri Lanka stuttered with run-scoring. The collapse began with the early wicket of Kusal Mendis, who was trapped leg-before wicket by Mohammad Abbas within the third over of the day. Night time watchman Suranga Lakmal held on for some time and saved the scoring charge ticking with two boundaries, considered one of them scored off Abbas. The pacer, nevertheless, had the final snicker as Lakmal’s hook, only one too many, ended up as a catch for Babar Azam.

And bowling unchanged from the beginning, Yasir dealt a double blow in his eighth over of the day. First he trapped Dilruwan Perera leg-before and within the very subsequent ball bought Rangana Herath out caught by Shan Masood.

Sri Lanka had slipped to 101 for eight by now. There was, nevertheless, a mini revival, the one vivid spot at that for Lanka batting as Niroshan Dickwella and Lakshan Sandakan stitched a vital 34-run partnership. Dickwella hammered essential boundaries and the duo pushed the rating to 135. It was Yasir, as soon as once more, who bought the breakthrough to ship Sandakan again and convey up his five-for in fashion. It was a fast finish to the innings as Hasan Ali bowled Nuwan Pradeep to set a 136-run goal.

And when Pakistan chase began, Herath was once more the nemesis.

The harm began within the fourth over itself. The veteran took an outdoor fringe of Sami Aslam’s bat, which was caught by Dimuth Karunaratne in first slip. And within the subsequent over, Lakmal bought Azhar Ali with a ripper. The batsman tried to defend however the ball took the sting for keeper Dickwella to finish a pointy catch. 

Pakistan had misplaced two wickets for simply seven runs and Sri Lankans have been beaming. And simply 9 runs added to the rating, opener Shan Masood too departed being caught off Perera.

Simply when Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam have been within the means of reconstruction, Perera struck once more. He despatched Azam again with a straighter one. Subsequent up, Herath bought Shafiq caught at slip by Karunaratne. By finish of the 18th over Pakistan had misplaced half their aspect for 35 runs. 

The onus was on Sarfraz Ahmed and Haris Sohail to face up. The duo took Pakistan to 67 at tea. Nevertheless, simply after break the skipper was out stumped off Herath. Perera then trapped Sohail for a leg-before to push Pakistan to 97 for seven. Herath returned to eliminate harmful Hasan Ali after which cleaned up Mohammed Amir.

Now it was only a matter of time as to when the final wicket would fall. And Mohammad Abbas walked into the center like a goat right into a slaughterhouse.

However there was drama on the finish as Perera snared Yasir Shah and celebrations had began however simply then umpire pointed to the supply being a no ball. It was, aptly, Herath, who took the profitable wicket as he bought Abbas plumb in entrance of wicket to clinch his 400th wicket and a well-known win for Sri Lanka.

The second Take a look at – a day-night one – begins in Dubai from Friday.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

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