Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2017: 5 reasons why Pakistan lost the Test series

It’s been seven years since Pakistan were forced to move to the UAE to play their 'home' games. Since then though they have made it a fortress. However, that fortress has finally been breached, by a Sri Lankan team who comprehensively put behind them a 9-0 drubbing against India.

Both Tests were competitive and went into the fifth day. It is important to note that Pakistan were not outplayed, but simply made a lot of mistakes which helped Sri Lanka win the series. So, here we look at 5 reasons why Pakistan lost the Test series against Sri Lanka.

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#5 Batsmen didn’t convert starts

In the four innings they batted, Pakistan's batsmen crossed the 50-run mark 8 times and only one was converted into a hundred (Asad Shafiq’s 112 in the second innings of the second Test), whereas Sri Lankan batsmen scored two daddy hundreds (155 – Chandimal, 196 – Karunaratne) which set them up for big first innings totals. Most Pakistani batsmen failed to convert their starts, especially in the first innings of both Tests.

The batsmen also lacked consistency. They often went into their shell, defending and blocking almost everything when they were put under pressure. Also, the batsmen got out at key stages of the game. For instance, Azhar Ali was dismissed when he looked in fine touch (85 in the first Test and 59 in the second), while Sarfraz Ahmed played a needless sweep shot in the 79th over of the second Test - on the final day - to get out. At that stage, Pakistan required 91 to win. That wicket opened the floodgates as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 23 runs.

So, there were no big hundreds, not much resistance and hardly any contribution from the lower order.

#4 Team Combination

Yasir Shah bowled 152 overs in the series which is almost 50 overs more than Herath and Perera

In Asia, it’s almost a no-brainer to go in with 2 spinners unless you’re given a green track. But Pakistan went in with 3 fast bowlers and just 1 spinner (Yasir Shah) and that might have proved to be the difference between the two sides. The Sri Lankan spinners picked 28 wickets (out of 40) and Yasir (only frontline spinner for Pakistan) took 16.

Yasir bowled a staggering 152 overs in the series – that’s 76 overs per Test. He averaged 25.12 but his strike-rate was close to 60. Yasir himself went on to admit that his workload would have been a lot less with a second spinner in the side.

Before the Sri Lanka series, Pakistan had played 18 Tests with two spinners and they won 12 of them while they played 6 Tests with 1 spinner and won only one. Moreover, the fact that they persisted with the three-pacer theory even after the first Test contributed to their downfall.

#3 Not capitalizing on key moments

Sarfraz got out at key moments in the second innings of both Tests

It was not a series in which either team dominated for a large part. Instead, it was quite closely fought. But it was Sri Lanka who won the key moments and maintained their composure when they were put under pressure. Pakistan had their moments but didn't make them count.

After almost leveling the scores in the first innings of the first Test, Pakistan bowled superbly to bowl Sri Lanka out for 138. But chasing 135 on a tricky surface, they recorded their 6th collapse in the last one year to fluff a wonderful opportunity to go 1-0 up in the series.

Even in the second Test, after dismissing Sri Lanka for 482, they had a great chance to get close to the score on a decent batting surface. But almost every batsman in the top 7 got set and then got out, conceding a big lead of 220 which proved to be decisive. Even though the bowlers brought Pakistan back in to the game in the third innings by skittling SL out for 96, 316 was always going to be a bit too much for a fourth innings chase.

#2 Collapses

Pakistan's collapses have been quite frequent of late.

Pakistan have a history of collapsing at crucial moments. The tag they have attained of being ‘consistently inconsistent’ is solely due to the frequent collapses they have had in the past few years.

The meltdown in the second innings of the first Test was their 8th collapse on the fifth day of a Test since 2014, and 6th since 2016. These collapses are occurring far too often and they need to address this problem soon.

Chasing 135 in the first Test, they were reduced to 36/5 at one point, eventually being bowled out for 114. Even in the second Test, they lost wickets in clusters and at key stages. From 61/0 they went to 109/4 and then 180/4 to 220/8 and 262 all out in the first innings of the 2nd Test.

And then again, in the second innings, chasing a tricky 316, Pakistan were reduced to 52/5 before a brilliant 173-run stand between Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed raised hopes of an unlikely win. But once Sarfraz departed, they lost the plot completely, losing their last 5 wickets for 23 runs.

#1 Improving Sri Lankan side

Sri Lanka have improved considerably following the India series

After a 9-0 thrashing by India at home (across formats), a 2-0 series win away from home is a big achievement for Sri Lanka. The determination, grit and temperament shown by the Sri Lankan players need to be applauded.

Dinesh Chandimal was fantastic as the captain. He led from the front and marshalled his troops really well. Even when Pakistan were going well, he didn’t allow the intensity of his side to drop. He set unorthodox fields and made important decisions – one of them being playing five bowlers.

Also, senior players like Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Rangana Herath and Perera stood up and delivered noteworthy and match-defining performances to help Sri Lanka cross the line.