NEW DELHI: Opener Imam-ul-Haq displayed a brilliant batting performance to anchor Pakistan's chase and secure a thrilling four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a nerve-wracking opening Test in Galle on Thursday.
Facing a target of 131 runs for victory, Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 79-4 after skipper Babar Azam's dismissal to the left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who proved formidable with figures of 4-56 in the second innings.
However, Imam-ul-Haq formed a crucial partnership with Saud Shakeel to stabilize the innings. Despite the odds stacked against them, Sri Lanka refused to back down, even with a limited total to defend. Saud Shakeel, who had already impressed with a career-best 208 not out in the first innings, contributed 30 runs before departing, and Sarfaraz Ahmed (one) couldn't hold on for long either.
Yet, Imam-ul-Haq remained steadfast and composed, reaching an unbeaten half-century (50 not out). With Agha Salman joining him at the crease, they sealed Pakistan's victory in a stylish manner. Agha Salman wasted no time and smashed the first ball he faced from Jayasuriya over the mid-off boundary.
Saud Shakeel's outstanding performance in the first innings, where he scored a maiden Test double century, proved instrumental in giving Pakistan a crucial first-innings lead of 149 runs, earning him the well-deserved "Player of the Match" title.
"The way Saud and Agha played, it totally changed the game," Babar said referring to their 177-run partnership, which helped Pakistan post 461 in the first innings.
"It's not easy to bat in Galle, but the way Saud's playing is outstanding."
Sri Lanka's top order could not vindicate their decision to bat first and they reached 312 in their first innings courtesy Dhananjaya de Silva's gallant 122.
"We needed to see off that opening spell but we lost a few wickets," home captain Dimuth Karunaratne said.
"Overall, the bowlers did well, but we dropped a few catches and that cost us. We have to assess what went wrong and come back again."
The teams move to Colombo for the second and final Test beginning on Monday.
(With inputs from Reuters)
