Pak thank SL for bringing Tests back

Pakistan thanked Sri Lanka Monday for helping them bring Test cricket back to the country for the first time since the 2009 attack on the same visitors led to international matches being suspended.

Pakistan’s players went to the Sri Lanka dressing room to thank them soon after the home team posted a convincing 263-run win in the second Test of the their first home series in a decade.

The victory gave Pakistan a 1-0 series win following the rain-ravaged draw in the first Test in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali said his country owed a big thank you to Sri Lanka.

“They have given us immense happiness by playing in Pakistan,” said Azhar after his team wrapped up victory in just 14 minutes of play on the fifth day.

Sri Lanka -- set 476 to win -- were bowled out for 212, with teenaged Pakistan paceman Naseem Shah taking five for 31.

At 16 years and 307 days old, Naseem became the second youngest bowler overall and youngest quickie to claim five wickets in a Test innings.

Azhar said the occasion and win brought happiness to all his players, who had never taken part in a Test match at home.

“It’s a great occasion for happiness for all of us that we won the series. It carried great importance and was very significant because we were playing our first home Test,” said Azhar.

Pakistan became off-limits for visiting sides after Islamic militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.

Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said his team had felt safe in Pakistan.

“Security was 200 percent,” said Karunaratne, one of ten players who withdrew from the limited over tour over security fears.

“Security people were like fathers to us. They kept talking to us and they were right behind us every time. When we were going out to eat or shopping, they were there.”

SCORES IN BRIEF

PAKISTAN: First innings 191 & second innings 555 for 3 (Abid 174, Masood 135, Azhar 118, Azam 100 not out; Kumara 2-139)

SRI LANKA: First innings 271 & second innings 212 all out (Fernando 102, Dickwella 65, Mathews 19; Naseem 5-31, Yasir 2-84)

Result: Pakistan won by 263 runs

Player-of-the-match: Abid A