Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2023

Test matches (2): Sri Lanka 0 (0pts), Pakistan 2 (24pts)

A year after their previous trip, when the series was shared 1-1, Pakistan returned to Sri Lanka, and won both Tests. Babar Azam's side showed that England's aggression in Pakistan in December 2022 had rubbed off, powering to victory in the Second after a close contest in the First.

In the earlier series, Sri Lankan spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis Wanigamuni had shared 29 wickets; this time, they had to settle for 15, including a combined two for 333 as Pakistan galloped to 576 for five in Colombo.

In all, the tourists scored at more than four an over. Shan Masood, their No. 3, explained: "The management was very firm in what was lacking - we weren't scoring at a good rate. Sri Lanka usually do well to hold opponents to low run-rates, but our style of play overcame that."

Saud Shakeel continued his dream start in Tests with a double-hundred in the first match, and Abdullah Shafiq followed suit in the second. They were backed up by exceptional fielding - not always a Pakistan strength - and a superior attack.

The turning point had come during the first innings of the opening Test, when Pakistan - replying to 312 - recovered from 101 for five to 461, mainly thanks to Shakeel and Agha Salman.

From then on, the Sri Lankans had a miserable time. Dhananjaya de Silva did well, but they failed to build partnerships, the bowling lacked edge, and the fielding fell apart.

Their 35-year-old captain Dimuth Karunaratne, whose highest score was 41, made his second request of the year to be relieved of the captaincy. "I would like to focus purely as a batsman for my remaining few years," he said.