2nd Test: Noman bags 7 as Pakistan crush Sri Lanka to sweep series 2-0 | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Noman Ali‘s exceptional performance with the ball led Pakistan to a resounding victory over Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in the second Test, sealing a 2-0 series sweep on Thursday.

The left-arm spinner was in top form, claiming the first seven wickets, while fast bowler Naseem Shah took the final three, causing Sri Lanka’s batting line-up to collapse for 188 runs in the evening session in Colombo.
Noman showcased his brilliance in his 15th Test, achieving career-best figures of 7-70, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s heaviest Test defeat at home.

In the first innings, Pakistan had dominated the game, piling up an imposing total of 576-5, and they declared their innings after just two overs in the morning session, holding a commanding lead of 410 runs over Sri Lanka.
With their victory in the opening Test by four wickets, Pakistan asserted their dominance in the series.
Opener Abdullah Shafique stood out with his 201 in an innings that saw three century stands, including a 124-run partnership with Agha Salman, who smashed an unbeaten 132.

The hosts started strongly with an opening stand of 69 until Noman bowled Nishan Madushka for 33 with his first ball of the day and ruled the roost thereafter.
Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne hit boundaries off Naseem and Shaheen Shah Afridi, with Madushka joining the charge until his departure.
Left-hander Karunaratne fell for 41 after lunch and Noman soon sent back Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal before Dhananjaya de Silva attempted to resist in his brief stay with Mathews.
De Silva fell for 10 when he was caught out by Abrar Ahmed while attempting a big heave over long-on.
Angelo Mathews hit an unbeaten 63 and put on some fight with Ramesh Mendis before he was finally stumped off Noman, who went wicketless in Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 166.
Naseem bowled at express pace and reversed the old ball to miss out on a couple of close lbw calls but finally wrapped up the tail with two wickets in one over.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s concussion substitute Mohammad Rizwan reached 50 off 67 balls with three fours in the second over and put on 108 runs with overnight partner Salman.
Pakistan held all the aces after bundling out Sri Lanka for 166, with Shafique’s maiden Test double ton guiding them to a mammoth total.
(With AFP Inputs)