‘Lanka mein aag laga di’ – Fans react as Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in 2nd Test, win series 2-0

On 24 July 2023, Pakistan locked horns with Sri Lanka in the second Test of the series in Colombo. The Men in Green won the first game convincingly and hence, they were looking for another win to clean sweep the series. While the Lanka were looking for a win to level the series.

Speaking of the match, Sri Lanka skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat first. But, Pakistan bowlers were on a roll as the home side got bundled out for 166 runs in 48.4 overs. Only Dhananjaya de Silva scored 57 runs off 68 balls, including nine fours and one six. With the ball, Abrar Ahmed was the star as he took four wickets for 69 runs in 20.4 overs.

Pakistan won the match by an innings and 222 runs 

Then, Babar Azam and his men put up a great show with the bat as they declared their first innings after scoring 576 runs for five wickets in 134 overs. Abdullah Shafique scored 201 runs off 326 balls, including 19 fours and four sixes. Along with him, Shan Masood scored 51 runs and Saud Shakeel scored 57 runs. Mohammad Rizwan came in as a concussion substitute for Sarfaraz Ahmed as he also scored 50* runs off 67 balls, including four fours and one six. Skipper Babar failed to score big again as he got out on 39 runs.

Thus, they managed a huge lead of 410 runs as the home side came out to bat in their second innings. But, the veteran spinner, Noman Ali ran a carnage as he grabbed seven wickets for 70 runs in 23 overs. Naseem Shah took the remaining three wickets for 44 runs in 17.4 overs. Thus, the Lankans got bundled out for just 188 runs in 67.4 overs and Pakistan won the game by an innings and 222 runs. With the win, they strengthened their position at the top of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) table and won the series 2-0. Shafique won the Player of the Match award while Agha Salman was adjusted the Player of the Series for scoring 221 runs along with three wickets with the ball.

Here is how fans have reacted to Pakistan’s dominating victory in the second game:

https://twitter.com/circindi_/status/1684521110220726272

https://twitter.com/Agastya_45/status/1684521151043878913

https://twitter.com/MessixBabar00/status/1684524337900974080

https://twitter.com/AxciemG/status/1684521936817475585