Dominant Sri Lanka beats Pakistan in second Test

Dubai: Sri Lanka produced a professional performance to register their biggest victory over Pakistan by nine wickets in the second Test in Dubai, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Paceman Suranga Lakmal took all three wickets to fall on the fifth morning to finish with a career-best 4-78 to wrap up Pakistan's second innings for 359 before Sri Lanka knocked off the meager 137-run target for one wicket.

In achieveing the victory, Sri Lanka also defied the cloudy weather in Dubai and rain forecast for later Sunday.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne (62 not out) hit the winning runs after putting on 124 for the first wicket with Kaushal Silva who fell after scoring 58.

Kumar Sangakkara remained unbeaten on nine.

Pakistan's lowest defended target was 127 achieved against New Zealand at Hamilton in 1993, when they dismissed their opponents for 93 but Sri Lanka ensured the good work was not lost.

Sri Lanka had previously beaten Pakistan by eight wickets on two occasions in 45 Tests between the two nations.

In a surprise move Pakistan opened the bowling with off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez but both openers played with authority.

Silva hit five boundaries before trapped leg-before by Saeed Ajmal. Karunaratne hit eight boundaries off 125 balls.

Ajmal was once again ineffective, having now taken five wickets in two matches.

Pakistan will be desperate to level the series in the third Test starting in Sharjah from Thursday to avoid their first-ever series defeat in United Arab Emirates, their adopted base for cricket since 2010 because of security fears back home.

The first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.Earlier, Pakistan failed to prolong their resistance of the fourth day as they lost three wickets in the space of just 29 runs.

Lakmal removed Sarfraz Ahmed in the fourth over of the day, bringing one in sharply to beat the Pakistani's forward defensive push and hit the off-stump. Sarfraz scored 74, batting for 211 minutes and hitting seven boundaries in a fighting innings that took the game to the final day.

Lakmal then had Rahat Ali caught behind for eight, for Prasanna Jayawardene's ninth catch in the match. Prasanna equalled Sri Lanka's record of nine catches by a wicketkeeper in a match set twice in successive Tests by Amal Silva against India at home in 1985.

Lakmal bowled Ajmal (21) to end Pakistan's second innings. Lakmal's previous best was 3-55 against Australia at Galle in 2011.

Nuwan Pradeep, Shaminda Eranga and Rangana Herath took two wickets apiece.

Sri Lankan paceman bowled well on the first day to get Pakistan out for a low score of 165 and then gained a big 223-run lead with experienced batsman Mahela Jayawardene hitting a brilliant 129.

Pakistan did put up a fight, taking the game to the final day with skipper Misbah-ul Haq hitting 97 and Younis Khan scoring 77 on the fourth day but the first-innings deficit led to their downfall.

Dubai pitches worry Misbah after crushing Sri Lanka defeat

Dubai pitches worry Misbah after crushing Sri Lanka defeat

Dubai: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq expressed his disappointment at not getting turning pitches to play up to his team's strength after suffering a heavy defeat by Sri Lanka in Dubai today.

Pakistan went down by nine wickets in the second Test to concede a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi. That defeat was largely due to the ineffectivenesss of Pakistan's main weapon Saeed Ajmal, with the off-spinner having bagged only five wickets to show in the two Tests.

Ajmal went wicketless in his 49 overs in the second innings of the first Test. In contrast he took 18 when Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in a three-Test series in United Arab Emirates in 2011.

Misbah admitted that the pitches were disappointing. "Obviously, we are not getting support as per our strength (of spinners) and that is a worry for us," said a visibly upset Pakistan captain, whose team also lost to South Africa at the same pitch three months ago.

"Obviously groundsmen are preparing pitches but as far as satisfaction, it's not there because we have not given instructions of such flat tracks. Maybe the groundsmen want to make (our) kind of pitch but they are not able to do that. It is surprising that there was no break here on the pitch, not even on the fifth day and it's surprising."

Pakistan lost a crucial toss and were bowled out for a paltry 165 in their first innings on a pitch that helped seamers. Sri Lanka gained a big 223-run lead with experienced batsman Mahela Jayawardene notching 129.

Pakistan fought hard to score 359 in their second innings but Sri Lanka knocked off the meager 137-run target for the loss of one wicket for their biggest win over Pakistan in 45 Tests. "Once we lost the crucial toss, as there was lot of moisture on the pitch, we could not really get back in the Test match," admitted Misbah, who scored 97 in the second innings.

Misbah blamed faltering batsmen. "I think the batsmen should have applied themselves more. You could see that there was some seam but still we played some indisciplind shots and that put us in trouble," said Misbah.

Pakistan now need to win the third and final Test starting in Sharjah from Thursday to avoid losing their first-ever series in United Arab Emirates. Victorious Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews acknowledged that the Dubai pitch was helpful for batsmen.

"Apart from the first day, this was a regular Dubai wicket. The spinners weren't that successful on this wicket, it became a bit slow, but still good for the batsmen, as usual," said Mathews, who hit 157 not out to draw the first Test.

Mathews said the win was pleasing. "That's what cricket is about. You need to keep fighting. I thought we did exactly that in the first Test. This is a wonderful victory with the help of the whole team," said Mathews.

Mathews contended that Pakistan remained a dangerous team. "The Pakistan team is an very good one and against this team you have to play positive cricket because if you give them even a little opportunity they will trample all over us. We played well throughout and won the difficult moments," said Mathews.

Mathews praised man-of-the-match Jayawardene. "He made a huge impact and we all hope that he'll get better and better and I am sure he'll play the next match as well," said Mathews of the batsman who played with stitches on his left hand.