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Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Naseem Shah takes five as Pakistan clinch series

Naseem Shah is congratulated by his team-mates AFP / Getty Images

Pakistan 191 (Shafiq 63, Babar 60, Kumara 4-49, Embuldeniya 4-71) and 555 for 3 dec (Abid 174, Masood 135, Azhar 118, Babar 100*) beat Sri Lanka 271 (Chandimal 74, Afridi 5-77, Abbas 4-55) and 212 (Oshada 102, Naseem 5-31)

It took Pakistan just 16 balls on the fifth morning to take the three Sri Lanka wickets they needed to wrap up the second Test and the series. It was made even more memorable for the hosts when Naseem Shah became the second-youngest player to take a five-for by trapping Vishwa Fernando plumb in front to seal the win.

The 15 minutes today were a microcosm of the lack of fight Sri Lanka exhibited over the previous two days. Not one run was added to the overnight total, and the first wicket of the day fell off the first delivery when a fierce Naseem bouncer brushed Lasith Embuldeniya's glove on its way to the wicketkeeper. That this would be a short day was confirmed when Oshada Fernando, on 102, nicked one to Asad Shafiq off Yasir Shah, leaving Nos. 10 and 11 at the crease.

Naseem took care of the final wicket, and for Pakistan, it ended a decade of a nomadic existence they will hope they never have to return to again. Naseem, and this generation of Pakistan cricketers, deserve that at least.

Sri Lanka 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st39FDM KarunaratneBOP Fernando
2nd1BOP FernandoBKG Mendis
3rd30AD MathewsBOP Fernando
4th26LD ChandimalBOP Fernando
5th1BOP FernandoDM de Silva
6th104BOP FernandoN Dickwella
7th11MDK PereraBOP Fernando
8th0BOP FernandoL Embuldeniya
9th0BOP FernandoMVT Fernando
10th0MVT FernandoCBRLS Kumara