On Thursday, opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq showcased an impressive unbeaten 50 to guide Pakistan to victory in a challenging chase of 131 runs against Sri Lanka in the first Test. The tourists began the final day at 48-3, and though they lost three more wickets, including skipper Babar Azam for 24 off Prabath Jayasuriya, they successfully reached the target in the first session.

Imam-ul-Haq, starting the day at 25, displayed composure alongside Azam and later, the left-handed partner Saud Shakeel, who scored a quick 30 following his unbeaten 208 in Pakistan’s first innings. Despite left-arm spinner Jayasuriya taking four wickets, including two late on day four, and giving the hosts a glimmer of hope, Haq’s resolute innings ensured Pakistan’s triumph.

Babar Azam began the day with a boundary and looked fluent during his 28-ball stay before Jayasuriya trapped him lbw. Saud Shakeel also took on the bowlers, but off-spinner Ramesh Mendis got him caught behind. Haq achieved his eighth Test fifty but eventually fell to Jayasuriya. However, Agha Salman came in and sealed the victory with a winning six.

Saud Shakeel’s standout performance included a maiden Test double century in Pakistan’s total of 461 all out, giving them a crucial first-innings lead of 149 in the rain-affected match.

Pakistan’s spinners, Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed, made significant contributions on Wednesday by taking three wickets each to bowl out Sri Lanka for 279, despite Dhananjaya de Silva’s stubborn 82. De Silva had earlier scored 122 in Sri Lanka’s first innings of 312 after the hosts chose to bat first, but Pakistan’s dominance allowed them to take control of the match.

Pakistan’s pace spearhead, Shaheen Shah Afridi, marked his return to Tests with a match haul of five wickets after being sidelined for a year due to a knee injury at the same venue.

The second match of the two-Test series is scheduled to begin in Colombo on Monday.