Pakistan wrapped-up a huge victory over Sri Lanka inside four days in Colombo today (July 27), recording their biggest-ever overseas Test match win in the process.
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Sri Lanka were bowled out for under 200 twice in the game with Pakistan only required to bat once. They racked-up 576-5 before declaring before lunch on day four. Abdullah Shafique scored his first Test double-century while Agha Salman registered his second century in nine Tests. Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan all scored half-centuries.
Noman Ali took the first seven wickets in Sri Lanka’s second innings, and finished with innings figures of 23-8-70-7. Those are the best figures for a Pakistan spinner against Sri Lanka. Imran Khan is the only Pakistan bowler with better Test figures against Sri Lanka. Noman’s 7-70 are the fifth-best ever figures by a Pakistan spinner in an overseas Test.
The winning margin of an innings and 222 runs is the biggest ever for Pakistan away from home. Their previous best was against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2011, where they won by an innings and 184 runs. It’s also Pakistan’s third largest Test victory ever, behind their home wins against New Zealand at Lahore in 2002 and Bangladesh in Multan in 2001.
The result wraps up the two-match series 2-0 to Pakistan, their first clean-sweep in a Test match series against Sri Lanka since 1994. It also takes Pakistan to the top of the World Test Championship table, with 24 points out of a possible 24 and 100 per cent PCT (points for a team per points contested)score.
Pakistan’s Test travel to Australia in December for their next Test assignment. With home series scheduled against both Bangladesh and West Indies, Pakistan are in a position to mount a decent charge for a 2025 World Test Championship final spot.
