Veteran Younis shots his gun, powers green for a record wins- Sri Lanka v Pakistan 3rd test review

Veteran Younis shots his gun, powers green for a record wins- Sri Lanka v Pakistan 3rd test review: Veteran Younis Khan’s unbeaten 171 helped Pakistan register an emphatic win over their Asian counterparts Sri Lanka in the third and final test at Pallekele. Pakistan chased down a record 377 for the loss of three wickets, giving them their highest ever chase in Test Cricket history and sixth highest overall.

With the victory Pakistan took the three match series 2-1 and triumphed in their first series win in Sri Lanka since April 2006. The seeds of this magnificent achievement were sown in Galle and they have now completed it with a victory at Pallekele.

Opener Shan Masood (125) and skipper Mishab-Ul-Haq (unbeaten 59) gave full support to the Pakistani batting legend while chasing down a record target. The feat required the highest fourth-innings partnership for Pakistan, 242 between Younis and Shan Masood, who fell on the fifth morning for 125. Misbah-ul-Haq arrived with 122 needed, saw off Sri Lankan quick’s till lunch, and opened up after that to reel off an unbeaten 59, finishing the match with a six off the expensive off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal.

Younis Khan (171) was awarded with the much deserved Man of the Match award for his massive innings while chasing a towering score.

Earlier on Pakistan’s leggie Yasir Shah who bagged match haul of 7 for 158 and increasing his series tally to 24 in three games, was honored with the player of the series award.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan- 215 and 380 for 3 (Younis 171*, Shan Masood 125, Misbah 59*) win by 7 wickets.

Sri Lanka- 278 and 313

Match Report

Third Test Day-1: Despite Karunaratne’s ton, Pakistan on top

After losing the first session, Pakistan fought back to claim the next two. Only Karunaratne kept going at one end. He brought up his 2nd Test ton and shared a valuable 67-run partnership with Mubarak. But Azhar Ali struck twice to remove him and the hosts kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Pakistan had the advantage after day 1 thanks to their bowlers. They need to get the remaining two wickets quickly now and stake their claim on the match.

Day-2: The Sri Lankan fight back

Although Pakistan began the day on a bright note by taking the two remaining Sri Lankan wickets quickly, things did not go according to plan for them with the bat. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq shared a decent stand but could not carry on.

Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Sarfraz Ahmed and Yasir Shah did share a solid 45-run stand but then Yasir perished too. Only Sarfraz had stuck there with a 94-ball 72 but the tourists are just one wicket away from folding. The big board told us that they were still 69 runs behind and a small but crucial lead was on the cards for Sri Lanka once they come out to bat in the second innings.

Day 3: Mathews and Chandimal rescue’s SL

Angelo Mathews remained unbeaten on 77 as Sri Lanka ended Day 3 at 228 for 5. Giving him company was a restrained Dinesh Chandimal and together the duo took the lead to 291 before bad light forced the umpires to call off the day’s play. Mathews’ innings and his partnership with Upul Tharanga and Jehan Mubarak helped Sri Lanka recover from a precarious 35 for 3 after they had claimed a 63-run first innings lead. Rahat Ali was particularly sharp in his first spell. His wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne gave Pakistan hopes of taking control of the game before Angelo Mathews took the game away from them.

Day 4: The Younis and Masood show

Shan Masood and Younis Khan came together at 13 for 2 in a chase of 377, and responded with the highest fourth-innings partnership ever for Pakistan, leaving the visitors 147 runs adrift of achieving the highest successful chase ever in Sri Lanka. The duo had to contend with a charged up three-man pace attack running in with a new ball. The mounting pressure released as soon as the inexperienced off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal came into the attack. Kaushal went for 92 in 20 wicket-less overs.

Day 5: Pakistan clinches a record win

With Pakistan sitting comfortably at 230 for 2 at the end of day 4, nothing special was asked for from Pakistan’s point of view with opener Shan Masood and veteran Younis Khan looking in good touch with three figures under their belt. But, offie Kaushal Silva produced an early breakthrough in first session of the last day, bringing some life into the game. Though Younis carried on his merry ways and kept playing positive cricket. He was quietly supported by Misbah who ensured no further damage is caused as they chase down a record target for the greens, to in fine style by hitting a six of Jehan Mubarak.