Pakistan ended a year-long Test win drought with a four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test match of the two-match series in Galle on Thursday.
The win was Pakistan’s first in Test cricket since they defeated Sri Lanka in Galle on the same day last year. It also marked their first victory in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) since they beat West Indies in Karachi in December 2021.
Pakistan’s bowlers were the stars of the show, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking 4-58 and Hasan Ali 3-50. The duo helped to restrict Sri Lanka to 222 in the first innings and 203 in the second.
In reply, Pakistan’s batsmen made light work of the Sri Lankan bowling, with Imam-ul-Haq top-scoring with 74. Abdullah Shafique also made a valuable contribution with 61, while Babar Azam chipped in with 34.
The win was a much-needed one for Pakistan, who had been struggling in Test cricket in recent months. It also gave them a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second Test to be played in Colombo from July 24-28.
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The significance of the win
The win over Sri Lanka was significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, it ended Pakistan’s year-long Test win drought. The team had not won a Test match since they defeated Sri Lanka in Galle on July 20, 2022.
Secondly, the win came in the ICC World Test Championship. Pakistan are currently seventh in the WTC standings, and the win will help them to climb the table.
Thirdly, the win was a confidence-booster for Pakistan. The team had been struggling in Test cricket in recent months, but the win over Sri Lanka will give them a much-needed boost.
The win over Sri Lanka is a positive sign for Pakistan cricket. The team has a number of talented players, and the win will give them a boost of confidence. Pakistan will be looking to build on this win in the second Test against Sri Lanka. If they can win that match, it will be a major step forward for the team.