Sangakkara pride at ending hoodoo

Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera were at the crease when Sri Lanka sealed their first home Test series victory over Pakistan after five failed attempts in 23 years

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Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara hailed his players for “stepping up and taking responsibility” after they secured a dramatic second Test victory over Pakistan at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.

The home side won inside three days by overhauling their victory target of 171 with seven wickets to spare, to clinch a series triumph with one game to go.

It marked an astonishing turnaround on a day which Pakistan started in the ascendancy.

The tourists looked in complete control in the morning session with debutant Fawad Alam and skipper Younus Khan amassing runs with ease.

But Younus’ dismissal shortly before lunch prompted an headlong collapse with the remaining nine Pakistan wickets going down for just 35 runs.

Alam can be excused as his sparkling 168 was the highlight of a largely disappointing display from the tourists while, for Sri Lanka, it was nearly all positives.

Paceman Nuwan Kulasekara finished with match figures of 8-58 while spinner Rangana Herath took 5-99 in Pakistan’s second innings.

Sangakkara hit 87 in the first innings and a vital 46 in the run chase and was delighted with the way his team responded to the fluctuating fortunes in the match.

“It’s a very special win and something that all of us wanted. But we didn’t expect to win in this fashion,” he said.

“They have been two very absorbing Test matches with the balance swinging this way and that between the two sides.

“But I think the key for us was that whenever we needed someone to step up and take responsibility there was always someone to put his hand up.

“So this series triumph belongs to everyone in the side because everyone chipped in and performed very well.

“We’ve had our opportunities in the past against Pakistan, but I remember Shoaib Malik saving the game for them at the SSC (Sinhalese Sports Club) a few years ago.

“This time I’m glad we took the opportunity when it came.”

Younus Khan leads off a despondent Pakistan after their second-innings collapse ushered in defeat in the second Test

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Sangakkara was particularly impressed with Kulasekara and Herath, adding: “It was hot, the wicket wasn’t offering much in either turn or pace, but the two of them really turned the tables.

“It just goes to show if you have heart and if you bend your back and put in the effort, the rewards will come.”

Younus put his side’s failure down to their recent lack of Test cricket due to safety issues in the Asian nation.

“It wasn’t the first time we have collapsed,” he said. “The problem I think is the fact that we haven’t played much Test cricket in the last couple of years.

“Everyone knows Test cricket is a massive test of skill. In the first game too we were in a good position and then we collapsed. The same thing happened here.

“The bounce was low on this wicket and think we have to tailor our game according to the situation. This wicket required a change in technique and style.”

Younus refused to admit his team had a weakness against quality bowling.
“I don’t think it’s a problem of weakness against either spin or pace,” he said. “In the morning the story was exactly the opposite with Alam and I putting on that 200-run partnership.

“It was a fantastic comeback after being bowled out for 90 in the first innings and then conceding a 150-run first-innings lead.

“It looked as if we would get a lead of 300-plus, but in the end I think we fell short by about 100 runs.”

Younus reserved special praise for 23-year-old Alam, who became the first Pakistan player to score a century away from home on debut.

“Alam was fantastic and one of the positives for us,” he said. “He was very doubtful about opening because he has played all his cricket in the middle order.

“There was an opportunity and I asked him if he would open. I told him he could become a big star.

“His response was fantastic and he is one for the future.”