On this day in 2014: Sri Lanka defeat Pakistan on a dramatic final day

On this day in 2014, the Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan created an intriguing contest on the fifth day, credits to Rangana Herath. The teams entered the final day with Pakistan taking the charge of the field to bat it out but Herath completely changed the script. He starred with the ball, securing six wickets on a day five pitch, and wrapped up Pakistan for just 180 runs.

This loss of Pakistan was the 12th by a side that had put up a total of 450 plus while batting first. They lost three wickets in 32 overs in the first session and despite them trying to be a bit positive post-launch, Sri Lanka sent their four more batters back to the pavilion by tea. Sarfraz Ahmed tried to hold the fort by his unbeaten 50 but wasn’t supported by any of the batters.

Owing to this, Sri Lanka had to chase 99 runs under the uncertainties of rain and the fading light. A Yorker on the middle-stump by Junaid Khan ended Mahela Jayawardene’s (26) innings. The crowd went into a frenzy as it was Jayawardene’s last Test innings in Galle. Looking to pull the short delivery by Mohammad Talha, Kumar Sangakkara(21) top-edged it and was caught at long-off. Skipper Angelo Mathews hit an unbeaten 25 to take his side to the finish line.

Both sides scored 450 plus in their first innings

In their first innings, Pakistan put 451 on board with Younis Khan (177) displaying his flair with the bat. Asad Shafiq (75) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (55) made crucial contributions. Sri Lanka’s Herath and Dilruwan Perera were lethal even on a pitch where no uneven bounce was available. Herath scalped three wickets whereas the latter struck with a five-wicket haul.

Walking onto the field, the Sri Lanka batters did not let the momentum go away from them. Upul Tharanga departed early on but then Kaushal Silva (64) and a double century from Kumar Sangakkara strengthened the side. He walked back in the hut with a standing ovation, having played an incredible inning of 221 runs. Mahela Jayawardene (59) and Angelo Mathews (91) further took up the mantle with the willow as Sri Lanka had declared at 533.