Dominant Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in second cricket Test

DUBAI, January 12, 2014 (AFP) - Sri Lanka produced a professional performance to register their biggest victory over Pakistan by nine wickets in the second Test in Dubai, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Lakmal then had Rahat Ali caught behind for eight, for Prasanna Jayawardene's ninth catch in the match. Prasanna equalled Sri Lanka's record of nine catches by a wicketkeeper in a match set twice in successive Tests by Amal Silva against India at home in 1985.

Lakmal bowled Ajmal (21) to end Pakistan's second innings.

Lakmal's previous best was 3-55 against Australia at Galle in 2011. Nuwan Pradeep, Shaminda Eranga and Rangana Herath took two wickets apiece.

Sri Lankan paceman bowled well on the first day to get Pakistan out for a low score of 165 and then gained a big 223-run lead with experienced batsman Mahela Jayawardene hitting a brilliant 129.

Pakistan did put up a fight, taking the game to the final day with skipper Misbah-ul Haq hitting 97 and Younis Khan scoring 77 on the fourth day but the first-innings deficit led to their downfall. Paceman Suranga Lakmal took all three wickets to fall on the fifth morning to finish with a career-best 4-78 to wrap up Pakistan's second innings fo