Herath stars as Sri Lanka take unlikely series lead

ranganaherath

Kumar Sangakkara's magnificent double century and a knock of 91 from captain Angelo Mathews had put Sri Lanka into a first-innings lead on day four.

Pakistan, who resumed play on 4-1, looked a relatively safe bet to bat out the final day on a demon-free pitch, while the possibility of rain threatened to bring an early end to the contest.

However, left-arm spinner Herath finished with second-innings figures of 6-48 as Pakistan were skittled for just 180, leaving the hosts a target of 99 for victory.

Sri Lanka duly reached the target in the 17th over, skipper Mathews hitting 25 from just 13 deliveries to help his team over the line.

Pakistan made an inauspicious start as Saeed Ajmal (4), Ahmed Shehzad (16) and Younis Khan (13) all fell cheaply to leave the tourists reeling on 55-4.

Azhar Ali (41) and Misbah-ul-Haq (28) led a mini revival by putting on 56 for the fifth wicket, but the former edged an excellent Herath delivery to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, while the latter soon followed after being trapped lbw by Dilruwan Perera.

Sarfraz Ahmed offered some resistance with a stubborn 52 not out, but the rest of the tail was tormented by the excellent Herath, who wrapped up the Pakistan innings when Junaid Khan (0) was trapped lbw.

Mahela Jayawardene (26) - playing in his penultimate Test match before retiring - was sent out with Upul Tharanga (12) to open the Sri Lanka batting, the first time he has done so in his illustrious career in the longest format of the game.

However, there was no fairy-tale outing for the 37-year-old as he and Tharanga were both bowled by Junaid Khan.

Sangakkara (21) fell to Mohammad Talha, leaving Sri Lanka 26 short of their target, with ominous dark clouds threatening to ruin the hosts' chase.

However, Mathews blitzed two sixes and two fours in his knock, while Kithuruwan Vithanage (11 not out) too smashed one over the ropes.

The match was sewn up when Mathews dabbed a single to mid-wicket as Sri Lanka celebrated the win, shortly before the heavens opened.

Sri Lanka will now look to wrap up the two-match series when the second Test begins in Colombo on Thursday.

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