Pakistan Test cricket team has not been in the greatest of form over the past year. They were winless in over 365 days and have finally won a Test match as they beat Sri Lanka in the first of the two-match Test series at Galle.
Pakistan won match on the last day with four wickets in hand. Notably, the last time Pakistan won the test was at this very ground - Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Bet on Sri Lanka vs Pakistan series and other cricket matches from India
What happened in the first Test?
Pakistan traveled away to face Sri Lanka in their first Test series of the World Test Championship cycle (2023-25).
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to bat first. The hosts posted a total of 312 runs in just above 95 overs. Veteran Angelo Matthews scored a 109-ball 64, while Dhananjaya De Silva scored an important century - 122 runs off 214 deliveries.
Speedsters Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah picked three wickets each, and so did the leggie, Abrar Ahmad.
Pakistan had a shaky start in their reply, losing four wickets for just 73 on the board. The likes of Imam Ul-Haq, Shan Masood, and Babar Azam had already returned to the pavilion by then.
MORE: When is India playing Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023?
This was where the duo of Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman took the case into their own hands. Shakeel hit his maiden double-century, as he remained unbeaten on 208. His performance, supported by Salman's 83, helped the visitors reach 461.
In Sri Lanka's second innings, opener Nishan Madushka gave a solid start to the hosts. He scored a 115-ball 52, despite the Lankans losing four wickets under the hundred-run mark. Once again, Dhananjaya De Silva was the best batsman, scoring 82 runs.
Even contributions from the whole Pakistan bowling unit restricted Sri Lanka to 279. Spin trio Abrar Ahmed, Agha Salman, and Noman Ali picked eight wickets between them. Shaheen picked the remaining two.
The top-order failed miserably, as Pakistan lost six wickets to reach the target of 131. However, Imam's half-century and gritty knocks from Shakeel and Azam were enough for Pakistan to secure the win. Prabath Jayasuriya was the lone warrior for Sri Lanka, as he picked four wickets.
When did Pakistan last win a Test match?
Before the recently-concluded Test in Galle in July 2023, Pakistan won its last Test match exactly 365 days ago. They won the first of the two Galle Tests on their tour to Sri Lanka in 2022.
The test was held from 16 July to 20 July - The same dates as the recently-concluded test match. If this coincidence was not enough, just as in 2023, Pakistan won the 2022 test by four wickets too.
