GALLE: Nuwan Kulasekara and Suraj Randiv combined to vanquish Pakistan as Sri Lanka triumphed in the First Test by a massive 209 runs yesterday, their biggest win over their Asian rivals.
The tourists, set a near impossible victory target of 510, were bowled out for 300 just before stumps on the fourth day despite defiant batting from Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq.
The pair kept the Sri Lankan attack at bay for three hours to add 151 for the fifth wicket, Younis making 87 and Shafiq 80, before both fell on either side of the tea interval.
Off-spinner Randiv and seamer Kulasekara grabbed three wickets each to ensure Sri Lanka ended the match with a day to spare after Pakistan appeared to be taking the fight into the final day.
Randiv finished with seven wickets in the game, but it was teammate Kumar Sangakkara who was named man-of-the-match for his unbeaten 199 in Sri Lanka's first innings.
Younis, 34, the most experienced batsman in the Pakistan side with 77 test appearances, held the innings together during his 26th half-century in the five-day format.
But just when the duo appeared to have survived the entire afternoon session, Shafiq was dismissed against the run of play.
The partnership between Younis and Shafiq, who came together in the day's second over at 38-4, helped Pakistan salvage their reputation after the tourists were shot out for 100 in the first innings.
Scores: Sri Lanka 472 (K.Sangakkara 199 not out, T.Dilshan 101, S.Ajmal 5-146) and 137-5 declared (T.Dilshan 56, J.Khan 3-44); Pakistan 100 (S.Randiv 4-13, R.Herath 3-30) and 300 (Y.Khan 87, A.Shafiq 80, N.Kulasekera 3-48, S.Randiv 3-86). AFP
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