GALLE: Pakistan secured a comprehensive four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle on Thursday.
The victory target of 131 was a mere formality for Pakistan, despite the fact Sri Lanka managed to claim three wickets on the final morning as the runs were successfully chased down prior to lunch.
Imam-ul-Haq (50*) and Agha Salman (6*) remained unbeaten as the match came to an end as Pakistan made a perfect start to their new World Test Championship campaign.
Pakistan had resumed their run-chase of 131 runs at 48-3 with Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq on the crease. Azam scored 24 in 28 balls, with the help of five fours, before being trapped by Prabath Jayasuriya in front of the stumps.
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Pakistan begin their ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 campaign with a 4️⃣-wicket win against Sri Lanka ????#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/4e1fTNh3BS
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 20, 2023
Saud Shakeel, who scored a double century in the first innings, also couldn’t stay at the crease till the end as he was dismissed after scoring 30 runs in 38 balls.
With five runs to win, Pakistan lost Sarfraz Ahmed. Salman Ali Agha then came to the crease and finished the match in style by hitting a huge six off the first ball he faced, helping the team win by four wickets.
For Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya bagged four wickets in the second innings and ended up taking seven wickets in the match.
The victory sees Pakistan join India at the top of the World Test Championship standings with a 100 percent win-percentage after one match apiece in the new cycle.
Pakistan will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record when the second Test against Sri Lanka commences in Colombo on Monday.
Babar’s side missed out on qualifying for the recent World Test Championship Final (2021-23), with Australia defeating India in the decider at The Oval last month.
