An entertaining draw saw Sri Lanka win the three match series 1-0. Both teams seemed to have played out some good cricket but the rained off day on Monday was the difference in the end. This meant Sri Lanka won their first series since Muralitharan's retirement and Pakistan lost their first series in nearly two years.
Day One:
After the Motorway of Colombo, Sri Lanka won the toss with a pitch full of life. The decision payed dividends almost instantly with Pakistan struggling against the moving ball. Both teams had picked a third seamer and with Pakistan soon on 56-4 with Perera picking up three top order wickets, the game was moving on a rapid pace.
That brought Asad Shafiq to join his skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq at the crease and the pair started to rebuild the innings. Batting at a decent rate the partnership brought respectively to Pakistan's cause. That was until, Misbah edged one to the keeper off the bowling of Perera for a much needed 40. While the tail wagged for their part, Asad Shafiq continued to show why he is regarded by many as Pakistan's best young talent. A calm innings of 75 was the catalyst as Pakistan made 226.
Sri Lanka, must have been confident, though with the pitch still doing its bit in the final session, Pakistan evened the game out. Junaid Khan drew first blood as he trapped Chandimal plumb in front. That was followed by the ball of the match to Kumar Sangakarra. The ball pitched outside off, nipped in viciously as the stumps took a clatter. Mohammad Sami followed that with the dismissal of the Sri Lankan captain, Mahela Jayawardene leaving Sri Lanka a precarious 44-3 at the close of play.
Day 2:
Rain, rain and more rain.
Day 3:
With a day lost to the weather a result was always going to be hard pushed. This became more evident as the ball got older and the pitch stopped misbehaving to Pakistan's annoyance. Out of form batsman, Samaraweera (73) joined Parnavithana (75) at the crease and they both led a remarkable fightback. A gutsy, fighting 143 run stand was the launching pad for the tail to wag. Then Parera (75) smashed the ball to all parts before Sri Lanka were bowled out for a 337. Junaid Khan in the process captured his second five wicket haul in the series as he demonstrated why Pakistan rate him so highly.
Pakistan had a short session to see out and lost Taufeeq Umar in that period. With the ball pitching outside leg, he was adjudged leg before for 4 with Pakistan finishing the day at 27-1.
Day 4:
Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez started the day for Pakistan still well adrift off Sri Lanka. Looking nervous, they both soon enough got into their grooves as Pakistan attempted to make a fist of the challenge ahead. Hafeez fell for a well made 52, as he chased a wide ball from Fernando only to edge it to the slip cordon. Younis Khan joined Azhar, who was showing signs of true form.
Younis did not last too long and Misbah soon followed. That brought young Asad Shafiq to the crease and along with Azhar had to rebuild as Pakistan were looking at the barrel. The two youngsters are very highly rated and this stand was like reliving Abu Dhabi against England. Azhar, duly completed his 4th Test century, 3rd this calendar year. Though he was the next man to be dismissed as he nicked one to the keeper off Fernando for a timely 136.
The tail, like usual, didn't seem to have much about them as Pakistan were left reeling at 299-8 with Shafiq on 55 joined by the injured Adnan Akmal.
Day five:
Asad Shafiq and Adnan Akmal started the day in cautious fashion. Slowly looking to play time, both demonstrated the believe in the present Pakistani Test squad. The cautious approach soon turned into an attacking fest as both players sought and sensed a declaration. Captain, Misbah did declare but not before Asad Shafiq completed his second Test hundred. That left Pakistan on 380-8 with Sri Lanka needing 270 from a minimum off 71 overs.
Sri Lanka started in an attacking vain. Taking on the bowlers, Chandimal especially looked incharge of the game. Parnavithana was the first to go, edging a Junaid Khan delivery to Younis Khan at second slip. In came Kumar Sangakarra (74 not out) and he along with Chandimal (65) carried on the attack. Once Chandimal got out Sri Lanka seemed to settle for the draw and a series win.
GeoSuper