There was everything happening in the first test between Srilanka and Pakistan. It was a complete game of cricket where both teams batted twice and came close. Even gods in Srilanka tried to save the game for them with some rain in between but Pakistan’s tenacity won them the historic match, by 4 wickets.

Chasing a 120 with 7 wickets in hand, Pakistan had a decent start to the day as they scored 76 in the first session, After lunch, the final 44 runs felt like they took an eternity to arrive, and then there was the necessary 11-run rain break. Pakistan reached a record total at Galle and their second-highest target in Test matches. To think that throughout the first innings, they had a score of 112 for 8. However, Babar Azam‘s stunning hundred brought them to within a few runs of Sri Lanka’s total. Abdullah Shafique, though, is the man of the hour.

He demonstrated the maturity of a seasoned player while being so inexperienced in Test cricket. In order to carry his team home with a win, he scored his highest Test score of 160. Pakistan played through some tense moments before and after lunch. During that time, they quickly lost three wickets, including the key one of Mohammad Rizwan. The damage was mostly caused by Prabath Jayasuriya, who dismissed two batters.

Sri Lanka just didn’t create enough opportunities, and when they did, they didn’t seize them. When the game was on the line and Pakistan needed 19, Shafique was dropped twice this morning, once by Dhananjaya de Silva on a return catch and again by Kasun Rajitha at deep square leg. Despite working relentlessly and taking another four-wicket haul, the other spinners weren’t able to back Jayasuriya adequately.

What a victory for Pakistan this is. To fall in the first innings and have their captain and Naseem’s last-wicket stand save them. Being asked to chase a huge 342 on a difficult pitch. To get off to a strong start and surprise Sri Lanka when everyone anticipated an easy victory for the hosts should exert pressure again on Sri Lanka with faith and tenacity.

Pakistan calmly took the bowlers off their radar. they figure out how to deal with spin and bounce on Days 4-5. To follow Abdullah Shafique, was a fantastic discovery. Babar Azam and company will remember this game forever. One of the best comeback victories you’ll witness in testing conditions. Pakistan now leads with one Test remaining, 1-0.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Abdullah Shafique, PAK 160*