Pakistan recorded their second victory in three-Test series over Sri Lanka on neutral venue as they won the second match by nine wickets on the fourth day at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
It was Pakistan’s 16th victory in 39 Test matches against Sri Lanka and 110th victory overall in 361 Test matches. Pakistan’s first victory over Sri Lanka on neutral venue came at Dhaka in the Asian Test Championship final in March 1999.
Saeed Ajmal recorded his best bowling performance against Sri Lanka by taking five wickets for 68 runs. It was his second best bowling performance after six for 42 against the West Indies at Providence in May 2011. Saeed Ajmal’s previous best against Sri Lanka was four for 87 at Colombo in July 2009.
Younus Khan set the new record of most catches by a Pakistan fielder against Sri Lanka by holding Tharanga Paranavitana off Saeed Ajmal in Sri Lankan second innings. It was Younus Khan’s 18th catch in 17 Test matches against Sri Lanka. Inzamam-ul-Haq who took 17 catches in 20 Test matches held the previous record.
Rangana Herath became the third highest-wicket taker for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in Test by bowling out Taufeeq Umar in Pakistan’s second innings. It was his 32nd wicket in eight Test matches against Pakistan. Only Muttiah Muralitharan (80 wickets in 16 Test matches) and Chaminda Vaas (47 wickets in 18 Tests) took more wickets than Rangana Herath for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in Tests.
Mohammed Hafeez scored his second half-century against Sri Lanka in fourth innings of second Test. It was his sixth half-century in 39 innings of 20 Tests. The Pakistan opener also scored three hundreds.
Misbah-ul-Haq became the fifth Pakistani player after Wajahatullah Wasti (five), Inzamam-ul-Haq (four), Saleem Elahi (four) and Mohammed Wasim (four) to take four or more catches in a match against Sri Lanka. The Pakistani skipper took three catch in the first innings and one catch in the second inning.
The nine -wicket victory was Pakistan’s fourth in nine Test matches under Misbah-ul-Haq.
Saeed Ajmal received his maiden man of the match award in 14 Test matches.
