Daily Times

When Pakistan embarked on their tour of United Arab Emirates to play Sri Lanka for a two-Test series, one was of the view that Pakistan would easily tame the men from Pearl Island. Sri Lanka reached UAE after getting thrashed, black and blue at their own backyard, by India in both Test and ODI series. But what happened in the first Test at Abu Dhabi was beyond one’s imagination and comprehension. The fifth and the last day at the Shiekh Zayed Stadium produced one of the rarest reversal of fortunes in Test history. Chasing a modest target of just 136, skipper Sarfraz Ahmad and his men crumbled at 114, losing by 21 runs. Led by Dinesh Chandimal, underdogs Sri Lanka literally took the wind out of Pakistan sails. It was a first defeat for Pakistan at this venue in 10 Tests. The Sri Lanka win means Sarfraz’s Test captaincy got off to the worst possible start and Pakistan would now need to win the second and final Test in Dubai if they are to further extend their unbeaten home streak; currently the longest in the world.

Brilliant Rangana Herath broke records, scuttling Pakistan again – 6 for 43 to his name. The pitch sang for him as he ripped through the Pakistan batting-line up. Dilruwan Perera was even denied the winning wicket by a no-ball, just so that Herath could complete 400 Test wickets – the first left-arm spinner to the milestone. In total he claimed 11 scalps for 136. With this mild insanity of a spell, Herath also confirmed himself as one of the finest in the business. He has 11 fourth-innings five-wicket hauls now, while Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne only seven apiece. With this triumph, Herath also became first bowler to take 100 wickets against Pakistan, going past Kapil Dev’s 99 scalps. He has taken those in 20 Tests with eight five-fors and two ten-fors.

The 10 wickets lost on the final day was the fifth time it had happened to Pakistan. On one occasion they lost nine in a day. They have done it around the world, to all kinds of bowlers and bowling, in all kinds of conditions, in all kinds of circumstances. And yesterday Pakistan repeated their terrible and disgusting performance. The batting once again let the green shirts down. All Pakistan batsmen remained confused and under pressure through out their innings. It was a poor showing from the favourites who slumped to an unbelievable low. All the good work done by the bowlers – particularly Yasir Shah – went in vain.

Pakistan must be wondering how had they lost this Test after Yasir’s 5 for 51 had swung the match almost completely in their favour? The last time these two teams played, Sri Lanka set Pakistan a mammoth 377 runs to win, and still managed to lose. The Test has emphatically underlined Pakistan’s shortcomings – exposing the batting’s brittleness and the limitations of leadership harshly and more prominently. The defeat also demonstrated that departure of Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan has left a great void in the middle order. Pakistan have collapsed this way even with those two in the team, of course, but perhaps not quite so meekly. Pakistan came face-to-face with life post Misbah and Younus. The transition period won’t be easy for the hosts. Together these two created a culture of hard work and discipline in Pakistan cricket which was the bedrock for the success achieved under Misbah’s captaincy. The defeat further calls in question the omission of Fawad Alam and Salman Butt by the selectors. A bold and aggressive approach is the only option for Pakistan to level the series. But with this kind of approach and form, one would not be surprised if they bite the dust once again.

Following the lavish home thrashings suffered at India’s hands, Sri Lanka were desperate for a victory to win their public back. The biggest story behind Sri Lanka’s success in the first Test was how well they read the conditions and how well they selected their playing eleven. Their performance in the field was equally selfless. In the end, the 136-run challenge thrown by the visitors proved insurmountable for Pakistan. No doubt, the win has given Sri Lanka the psychological edge going into their second Test starting from October 6 (Friday).

Published in Daily Times, October 3^rd 2017.