PAK VS SL - 2nd Test, Pakistan v Sri Lanka in UAE, 2017

That brings us to the end of the Test series. We had two competitive games with both matches going into the fifth day - a rarity in the modern era. Shows you again and again that the red-ball format is evergreen. Sri Lanka emerged victorious but were far from comprehensive. Pakistan did have their moments, just that they couldn't capitalize on it and that cost them dearly. The two sides will resume battle in the shorter formats with the ODIs coming up from 13th October. Should be another compelling series, hopefully. Hope you enjoyed our coverage, until next time, it's goodbye from us. Cheers!

Dinesh Chandimal: "We are over the moon. This is a great achievement for us. Credit goes to the boys and the team management for all their practice methods. Also want to credit the selectors for their backing. It was a tough series against India but we learnt a lot from that. I thought we executed really well in this series. (On the energy from SL this series) If you look at the guys, they are really committed and motivated, so the team spirit will come. (If there was any pressure today at the start) Last night, in the last session, it was difficult to bowl with the dew factor which didn't help the spinners. But, we knew that today in the afternoon, it will grip better as we have quality spinners. Credit to the whole team as they did a great job throughout."

Sarfraz Ahmed: "It was a tough series for us and we did come close in both games. However, we didn't play good cricket and so we didn't win. Preparation was fine for the red-ball format but we didn't execute our plans well enough. Credit to them as their bowlers did really well, especially Rangana Herath who is world-class while Dilruwan was also very good. They had an edge in spin department and that worked for them. It's a new experience, captaining in this format and I am confident of improvement in the next games."

Dimuth Karunaratne is both the Man of the Match as well as the Man of the Series. "I am really happy with my efforts. I wanted to show more responsibility and it worked. (On any changes in technique) For the seamers, I did change a bit but overall, the game plan was the same. I wanted to be positive, as that's the way I generally play. I changed my mindset and it worked. It's been a good time for us on this tour."

Deepu Narayanan's numbers

Sri Lanka - first side to win a series against Pakistan in UAE since 2010.

Pakistan in UAE since 2010:
- Series: 10
- Won: 5
- Lost: 1
- Draw: 4

Series wins away from home for SL (excluding Zim/Ban):
- in NZ - 1995
- in Pak - 1995, 2000
- in Eng - 1998, 2014
- Asian Test Championship in 2002
- in UAE - 2017

Sides winning after posting < 100 in the third innings:
- 60 Aus v Eng, Lord's, 1888
- 84 Eng v Aus, Oval, 1896
- 86 Aus v Eng, Manchester, 1902
- 96 SL v Pak, Dubai, 2017*

Two wins in an away Test series for SL (excluding Zim/Ban):
- 2 in Pak, 1995
- 2 in Pak, 2000
- 2 in UAE, 2017*

The last time Pakistan lost a home series (Pak/UAE/Eng) was against South Africa in 2007

Karunaratne's majestic 196 coupled with the lower middle order got SL to a challenging total after opting to bat. Yasir did get a 6-fer but it was easily among his most ineffective ones. In reply, Pakistan's batsmen failed to apply themselves with only Sohail and Azhar digging in a bit. Sri Lanka's bowlers were disciplined and reaped the rewards for it. Along expected lines, the visitors didn't enforce the follow-on but were shocked as they got shot out for 96. It seemed like Pakistan had a chance but eventually, their batting let them down. They seemed volatile, predictably so - this being their first series after the Misbah-Younis retirement. Sri Lanka deserve the success, it's been an awful last month or so for them before this tour. They will party hard for sure. Presentations coming up shortly.

Excellent by the Lankans. They started the day under pressure due to the Shafiq-Sarfraz partnership. The first 30 minutes also went to the home side before Chandimal's boys roared back in style. Once Sarfraz departed, Shafiq started running out of partners and in the process, perished himself. The tail didn't wag for Pakistan and hence, they crashed to their first series defeat at their home since 2007. Dilruwan Perera shone for the tourists with a 5-fer while the rest complimented him really well. As for the hosts, barring their two top scorers, nobody else showed the stomach for a fight.

Herath to Riaz, out Caught by Chandimal!! Sri Lanka seal the series 2-0! What a time they have had in the UAE, much-needed after the recent home disaster against India. Considering Wahab's methods, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Tries to loft it after charging down the track but only manages to slice it high into the off side. Fittingly, SL's captain Chandimal settles under the skier at extra cover and starts his celebration Riaz c Chandimal b Herath 1(12)

Herath to Riaz, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Herath to Riaz, no run, flatter and shorter in length, punched off the back foot as Herath runs across well to his left. Cannot stop it as it goes to mid-off

Lakmal to Mohammad Abbas, no run, on the pads and worked to the left of fine leg. Wahab refuses the single as he wants to be on strike

Lakmal to Mohammad Abbas, no run, length ball angled in around middle, defended it towards the leg side

Lakmal to Riaz, 1 run, very full and targeting the sticks, worked to deep square leg to get off the mark

Lakmal to Riaz, no run, Riaz has decided that he will deal only in biggies. However, he has to connect from the middle for that to happen. Tries to slog this length ball out of the city but ends up mistiming it to mid-on

Lakmal to Riaz, no run, a bit of inward movement from a length and Riaz nudges it towards the leg side

Lakmal to Mohammad Abbas, 1 run, just short of a good length angled into the body, worked towards mid-wicket

Herath to Riaz, no run, pings the front pad but it's clearly missing leg stump. Riaz was trying to play across the line but missed it totally

Herath to Riaz, no run, flatter and shorter outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover

Herath to Riaz, no run, fuller and outside off, defended solidly off the front foot

Herath to Riaz, no run, this looked comical! Advances down the track and swings merrily. Drags it off the inner half to the leg side