Pakistan celebrate historic series win

KARACHI: Former cricket greats Tuesday hailed Pakistan’s unexpected run-chase in the third Test against Sri Lanka, which handed them their first series victory over the hosts in nine years.
Set a daunting 377 to win the decisive Test, Pakistan rode on a brilliant unbeaten 171 from Younis Khan — his 30th Test hundred — and a maiden century by opener Shan Masood to clinch the match by seven wickets.
The win gave Pakistan a 2-1 series win and lifted them to third spot in the International Cricket Council Test rankings.
Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq praised the “historic” victory. “The win is more praiseworthy because we are considered weak chasers but the boys led by Younis and Masood helped clinch that in a remarkable way which I know a lot of people would not have expected,” Inzamam said.
“Pakistan’s determined fightback would give them confidence in future Tests.
“I am pleased with the team’s ability to fight back because after getting bowled out for 215 in the first innings it was difficult to come back and Sri Lanka were dominant but Pakistan put up a brilliant fightback and to be able to score 377 in the last innings will give confidence to the team for future.
“It will give them the belief that they can chase 350-plus or 400 in future Tests,” said Inzamam, who anchored Pakistan’s previous best chase, 314 against Australia in Karachi in 1994 with a fighting half-century.
Inzamam said Younis has proved to be the key.
Younis’s hundred was his fifth in the fourth innings of Tests — a world record beating India’s Sunil Gavaskar and England’s Geoff Boycott who had four.
Former star batsman Javed Miandad said the win would lift Pakistan in Tests. “It’s a remarkable win,” said Miandad. “The chase has proved that our players are capable and have the potential to be the best in the world,” said the former captain, was also full of praise for Younis.
“I can’t say much, but his performance speaks for him,” said Miandad of Younis who crossed legendary Australian batsman Don Bradman’s 29 centuries. — AFP
PPI adds: Chairman PCB Shaharyar M Khan congratulated players and officials for winning the Test series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
He lauded captain Misbah-ul-Haq, other players, head coach Waqar Younis, manager Naveed Akram Cheema and the support staff on the wonderful performance.
“I felicitate Misbah on this superb Test series victory,” he said in a message from London.
“Winning an away series is never easy,” he said. “The contribution of the coaching staff must also be acknowledged,” the PCB chief said.
Chairman PCB’s Executive Committee Najam Sethi also congratulated the captain and the team management.