SL VS PAK TESTS

Right then. Both the skippers get together and pose with the trophy as the series ended in a 1-1 draw. Sri Lanka would be pleased with their effort and end their final home Test game of the year on a high and they have reclaimed their spot in the top three of the ICC World Test Championship points table. They will now shift their attention to the T20 World Cup Group Stage to get their ticket for the main event. They will face Namibia on 16th October. For Pakistan though, they head out to the Netherlands for an ODI series which will begin on the 16th of August. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Until next time, take care and goodbye!

Dimuth Karunaratane, the skipper of Sri Lanka says his back is still not right and he will get an MRI tomorrow. He says that when Angelo Mathews got out he felt like he had to bat positively and put pressure on Pakistan. He adds that as a team they are playing well and the batters and bowlers are contributing equally. He says there were some mistakes in the past that cost them matches but they try to learn from them and execute their plans better. He praises Prabhath Jayasuriya and says that he knew his potential and that's why Prabath was given the opportunity and flourished with it. He ends by saying that it is a great achievement to play 100 Test matches for Mathews and he has been playing with him since U-15. Adds that he hopes Mathews can play many more matches for Sri Lanka.

Babar Azam, the Pakistani, skipper in for a chat. He starts by saying it was tough for them to win the series. Adds that their batting wasn't up to the mark and that hurt them the most. Mentions that Dhananjaya de Silva's innings was the biggest difference in the game. Also mentions that they will take a lot of positives from this series and hopes to improve their game in the future.

Prabath Jayasuriya is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for picking up 17 wickets across the two Test matches. He says that he worked hard and was patient for his chance and is happy with his performance. He adds that the surface was not that easy and it was more about the partnership in bowling and waiting for the wickets to fall and then putting more pressure by bowling on the right line and lengths. He ends by saying that he had a lot of support from his family and players and is delighted with the win and will look to continue this form.

Dhananjaya de Silva, who was the acting captain for Sri Lanka for almost all of the Test match, wins the Man of the Match award for his incredible ton. He starts by saying he is really happy after getting a ton after almost 13 innings. Also praises the effort of the boys in all departments. Mentions, he had worked on himself a lot, also there is the added pressure when a batsman doesn't score but he could handle the pressure. Ends by saying that being the stand-in captain is a good challenge for him.

The presentation ceremony...

Early in the game, Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat first and his side put on a sizeable score on the back of contributions throughout the batting order. Naseem Shah and Yasir Shah both bowled well with the young pacer showing good control. Then, the Lankan bowling attack led by a five-wicket haul of Ramesh Mendis bundled out the opposition for just 231 runs, handing the hosts a big lead of 147 runs. Only Agha Salman showed some fight as he brought up his maiden half-century. Pakistan did make early inroads in the second innings but soon the bowlers proved to be ineffective and the stand-in captain for Sri Lanka, Dhananjaya de Silva scored a ton to ensure his side had a lead of over 500 runs. Sri Lanka looked in control but when almost the entirety of the final session on Day 4 was called off due to bad light, it seemed that luck was against them. On Day 5 though, it was a completely different story and the hosts ended up winning the match comfortably by 246 runs. Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony.

Pakistan had the lead in the series after an immaculate run chase in the first Test match but their in-form batters have certainly disappointed in the second Test. Both openers were found vulnerable to the conditions and even though Babar Azam played well in the second innings, the first innings deficit made a huge difference in the game. Pakistan started Day 5 on a negative note having lost Imam-ul-Haq early but then the skipper and vice-captain put on a good stand. It was then Rizwan's misjudgment that created the opening for the opposition and the Run-Out of Fawad Alam only made things worse. After Lunch, it got very nervy and the middle order just was driven through as only Yasir Shah got a few boundaries. All in all, a disappointing end for the visitors as they had a great chance of getting an away Test series win and have dropped down to fifth position on the ICC World Test Championship points table.

This has been a memorable comeback from Sri Lanka after going 1-0 down in this two-match Test series. What a turnaround this has been on Day 5 with bad light and dark clouds taking overs off Sri Lanka's hand, but they remained resolute and got the win. After a bit of a sedate first hour on Day 5, Prabath Jayasuriya started to turn the tide in favor of his side. Then Ramesh Mendis joined him and the pair picked up nine wickets in between them with Jayasuriya picking up a fourth five-wicket haul in just three Test matches. In the absence of Dimuth Karunaratne for most of the game, vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva led the side extremely well and they deserved the win completely. Angelo Mathews also ends his 100th Test match with a win.

What a game of Test cricket we have witnessed! Sri Lanka dominated almost all 5 Days but the game just started to drift away from them late on Day 4 and early on Day 5. Their spinners though have done a remarkable job when it mattered most and the hosts have indeed leveled the series. Pakistan put up a fight but that was only for a short time and they have been outclassed here. With that result, Galle keeps up with its reputation of being a ground where there is a team that ends up on the winning side.

OUT! TAKEN! Mendis gets the last man and the Sri Lankans are delighted as there are celebratory scenes all around the ground. This is floated and on off, turning in, Naseem Shah tries to go for the big shot again but this time mistimes his shot. The ball goes high in the air and Dunith Wellalage who is stationed at deep mid-wicket judges it well and pouches it safely. Sri Lanka win the game by 246 runs.

Full again on off, turning in. Shah knocks it to the off side.

FOUR! A gift from Mendis. This is a full toss and on off, Shah smashes it through extra covers for a boundary.

Floated on off, turning in sharply, Shah is caught in his crease but manages to defend it well.

Tossed up on middle, Shah comes down the track to loft it over mid-wicket but gets an inside edge and it goes towards short leg.

Flighted on off, turning in, Shah blocks it onto the pitch.

Full and off, pushed to covers.