Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2014

At Galle, August 6-10, 2014. Sri Lanka won by seven wickets. Toss: Pakistan.
Defeat for Pakistan seemed impossible, both when they racked up 451 in their first innings, with Younis Khan batting more than eight hours for 177, then when they were only four down in their second midway through the final day. But Herath twirled his way through, and Sri Lanka squeaked home, completing victory with just 4.4 overs to spare. Minutes after Mathews settled matters with a six and a single off Mohammad Talha, Galle was drenched by heavy rain.

The match had started half an hour late after a shower, when Jayawardene - who had announced his imminent retirement from Test cricket - led the Sri Lankans out through a guard of honour formed by bats held up by local youngsters. Prasad, a late replacement for the injured Suranga Lakmal, dismissed both Pakistan's openers cheaply, but from 56 for three Younis crafted his 24th Test century. He had a few close shaves: at 20 he successfully reviewed a caught-behind decision off Prasad, then one run later Mathews decided not to review an lbw shout which looked plumb. On 59 Younis successfully reviewed another decision, this time when Hawk-Eye showed Perera's lbw would have scraped over the stumps. Then, on 156, Eranga dropped a sharp return chance. Younis put on 137 with Asad Shafiq, then Sarfraz Ahmed and Abdur Rehman weighed in with punchy half-centuries.

Tharanga departed in the fifth over of the reply after cuffing four quick boundaries, but that brought in Sangakkara. Serene and immovable, he sailed to his hundred late on a truncated third day. Before he had scored next morning, he cut his first ball to point, where Rehman fumbled a straightforward chance. There wouldn't be another: Sangakkara forged on from his 37th Test hundred to his tenth double, taking him clear of Brian Lara and behind only Don Bradman (12). In all he batted for more than 11 and a half hours, and hit 24 fours from 425 balls.

Sangakkara shared century stands with Silva and Jayawardene, before Mathews helped him put on 181. At 438 for three Sri Lanka seemed destined for a big lead, but they were reined in by Saeed Ajmal, who completed his tenth Test five-for, transforming figures of none for 129, and limiting the lead to 82. It would be a bittersweet four days for Ajmal, whose action was reported again after the match: he was subsequently banned from bowling.

There was time for Pakistan to face six overs on the fourth evening, when they lost Khurram Manzoor. Next day they tried to batten down the hatches, and on a blameless pitch a draw remained the likeliest result. But following the afternoon drinks break Pakistan were jolted as Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq departed in the space of three deliveries.

Rehman fell to what became the last ball before tea, making it 153 for eight, but Sarfraz kept Pakistan's hopes alive with another fighting fifty. But Herath polished off the tail, taking his match figures to nine for 164, leaving Sri Lanka - set 99 in a maximum of 21 overs - a race against the clock and, especially, the weather. Thanks to a flourish from Mathews and Vithanage, they needed only 16.2.
Man of the Match: H. M. R. K. B. Herath.