Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne hailed Prabath Jayasuriya after the left-arm spinner snared five wickets to help the hosts seal a 246-run series-leveling victory against Pakistan on the fifth and final day of the second Test in Galle on Thursday.
Karunaratne also gave an update on his injury, saying his back was still painful and he would get an MRI to find out the extent of the injury. Dhananjaya de Silva was leading Sri Lanka in the absence of skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who was out with back spasms.
“My back is still painful, getting an MRI tomorrow. Hopefully, it is nothing. Someone had to take the responsibility, and I felt it was my time after Angelo got out. As a team we have played really well, we have stuck together as a batting unit,” Karunaratne said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Set a record target of 508 to try and win the two-Test series 2-0, Pakistan were bundled out for 261 in their second innings after resuming the day on 89/1.
Jayasuriya picked up 5-117 for his fourth five-wicket haul in only his third Test match. Mendis, who took five wickets in the first innings, provided able support by picking up four. Captain Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan, who won the opening Test at the same venue by four wickets, with a resolute knock of 81.
Jayasuriya had picked up 12 wickets against Australia on his debut last month to lead Sri Lanka to another series-leveling win at the same venue.
