Prabath and Ramesh Bowl Sri Lanka to a Series Levelling Win

Sports Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Galle Sri Lankan leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya who took five wickets in the second innings celebrating a wicket. He was adjudged the Man of the Series. Picture by Hirantha Gunathilaka Tags:  Print Edition

Sri Lanka cricket team made a superb team effort to beat Pakistan by 246 runs to level the series after second test which ended at the Galle International cricket stadium yesterday.

It was a fine performance by Sri Lankan spin duo Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis who played an anchor role to dismiss Pakistan for 261 one hour after lunch break yesterday to record a remarkable 246 run victory .

The skipper Babar Azam made 81 in 146 balls with 6 fours and a six while Mohammad Rizwan made 37 and these two vital wickets were taken by leggie Jayasuriya which was the turning point of the game yesterday.

Ramesh Mendis who took 5 for 47 played a supporting role to Jayasuriya and the spin duo paved the way to bowl out the opponents to seal the victory .

Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was not in the field due to his back injury and Dhananjaya de Silva ably handled the team in the field Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said “ Someone had to put his hands up. It was my time to build partnerships so I did that. I think as a team we are playing really well.and we came back strongly to level the series .It was much like in the Australia series and my team showed their fighting skills against two top teams

Dimuth said “I think before we called up Prabath (Jayasuriya) we played the National Super League series and I saw his potential and that’s why we brought him. Talking

about the most experienced player Angie (Angelo Mathews) who played his 100th test match he and myself are playing from under-15 school days. He has matured and always supports me. It’s a real good achievement to play 100 Tests, especially since he started as an all-rounder and now plays as a batsman and always strengthens the team with his skills .

Meanwhile Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said the second test definitely was a tough game for us. Batting wasn’t up to the mark. We were definitely in the game but Dhanajaya’s (de Silva) innings changed the game and it was a fine come back by Sri Lankans . Dhananjaya de Silva was named player of the match while leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was adjudged player of the series .

Dhanajaya de Silva said I got a hundred after 13 innings, and very happy with that. I had good support from my bowlers and Dimuth (Karunaratne) from the dressing room.He sent important messages to the field while It’s hard work (captaincy), you have to manage the bowlers and keep people motivated but I did it really well and finally we won to level the series

Friday, July 29, 2022 – 01:00