Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka create history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in the UAE

They came into the series amidst tremendous criticism, scrutiny and very low morale. The Sri Lankan team had lost all the 9 matches against the Indians in their own backyard and was at the rock bottom. Flying into UAE what was Pakistan’s fortress of sorts at least in Test cricket as they had not lost a single series (before this series) not a lot was expected from Dinesh Chandimal & Co. But today as the series concluded they beat Pakistan in both the Tests and claimed the series 2-0.

The second Test, in particular, got off on a great note for the visitors as opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored a hundred and got out just 4 short of a well deserved double ton. Middle order contributions from the skipper Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella and Dilruwan Perera helped them to 482 in the first innings. Pakistan in their response couldn’t challenge the total and were skittled out for 262 handing Sri Lanka a 220-run first innings lead.

The confidence or too much of it for having a lot of runs on the board caused a batting order failure and no Lankan batsman managed to even score a 30. Wahab Riaz who went wicketless in the first innings made a splendid comeback to pick a 4-wicket haul and that broke the backbone and ensured they were bowled under 100 restricting the lead to 316 runs.

Chasing a three hundred plus target in the fourth innings is never easy on a subcontinent wicket and at 52/5 it looked like Pakistan would crumble once again like they did in the opening Test. But that was when Asad Shafiq and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed played defying knocks and stitched a 173-run partnership to barge back in the game.

On the last day, the hosts needed 119 runs to win with 5 wickets in hand and it looked pretty even, but once Perera got rid of Sarfraz for 68 it was a matter of time. Shafiq tried his best with his 251-ball 112 but they fell short of the target by 68 runs and thus Sri Lanka lifted the trophy bagging the series 2-0.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to Sri Lanka’s series win:

October 11, 2016 – Pakistan lost Test mace to India
October 10, 2017 – Pakistan slip to No.7 in Test rankings#PAKvSL

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) October 10, 2017

https://twitter.com/CricProf/status/917717709315592193

First time since 2002, and only 2nd time in history, when Pakistan failed to win or draw a Test in a home series. In 2002, Australia won 3-0

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) October 10, 2017

Sri Lanka become first team in 115 years to win a Test after getting bowled out for less than 100 in 3rd innings. #PakvSL

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 10, 2017

ICC Test Team Ranking:

1- India
2- South Africa
3- England
4- New Zealand
5- Australia
6- Sri Lanka
7- Pakistan
8- West Indies#PAKvsSL

— Cricout (@Cricout) October 10, 2017

Pakistan is the best Test team on Earth and Mars. (It's a mistake, to even expect.)

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 10, 2017

Saw a TEAM out there.. Everyone contributing #PAKvSL A happy bunch.Congratulations to everyone @OfficialSLC Well played lads #veryproud

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) October 10, 2017

What an achievement by the boys.Hats off to everyone.wel led @chandi_17 bowlers were outstanding.congrats to everyone.Enjoy the victory ???

— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) October 10, 2017

Well done boys.. very proud the way we played ? brilliant performance by dilruwan and rest of the bowlers. Enjoy the victory in style..☺️

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) October 10, 2017

What a way to come back boys, dili bro @HerathRSL @IamDimuth @KusalMendis1 @SilvaKaushal @thiri66 & very well lead by @chandi_17 #SLvsPak

— Dilshan Munaweera (@dilshanSD24) October 10, 2017

Fantastic comeback after a tough series at home!! @OfficialSLC brilliant team effortt lads.. Keep going #LionsRoar

— Angelo Perera (@angiperera) October 10, 2017

Well done Boys, what a great test series win and team effort ???@OfficialSLC #keep improving#enjoy#

— Tilan Samaraweera (@SamTilan) October 10, 2017

Fantastic win @OfficialSLC lads?? Great character shown by everyone to win in tough conditions & situations. Well done everyone involved??

— Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) October 10, 2017

This is the first time since 2010 that Pakistan have suffered a loss in a Test series in the UAE.#PAKvSL #PakvsSL

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) October 10, 2017

Pakistan lost to SL in Dubai and Fawad Alam scored his 26th First Class century at Lahore!! ???@iamfawadalam25 #QeATrophy #QEA17 #PAKvSL

— Farhan Nisar (@farhanwrites) October 10, 2017

Around a year ago, Pakistan fans were jumping all over the place that their team was no. 1 in Tests. The same team that’s now no. 7! #PAKvSL

— महादादा (@mahadada) October 10, 2017

5/52 … a stand worth 173 … and then 5/23. Pakistan. #PAKvSL

— Jamie Alter (@jamie_alterTOI) October 10, 2017

Whatever the result, Sri Lanka have been magnificent. After the mauling at the hands of India, I didn’t give them a chance here! #PAKvSL

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) October 10, 2017

Retweet if you think agar Fawad Alam hota tou hum yeh Test Series last week hee jeet chukey hotey.#PAKvSL

— SIR .. (@SirJohnRoe) October 10, 2017

The umpiring throughout the series has been below par! #PAKvSL

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 10, 2017

What a result for Sri Lanka. Dismissed for 96 in their second innings and winning the Test by 68 runs. Clean sweep. ??? #PakvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 10, 2017

The last time before today Pakistan lost a home series (hosted by Pak/UAE/Eng) was against South Africa in Pakistan in October 2007. #PAKvSL

— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) October 10, 2017