Mathews hails youngsters

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said his side’s young players made the difference in their second Test win over Pakistan.

Sri Lanka claimed a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series on Sunday, as Dimuth Karunaratne (62 not out) and Kaushal Silva (58) led them to their victory target of 137 with ease in Dubai.

Their nine-wicket win saw Kaushal score 153 runs in total, while inexperienced seamers Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and Shaminda Eranga impressed with the ball.

“The bowlers did really well and the batsmen came to the party to set up this win,” Mathews said.

“The younger guys have performed exceptionally well and Mahela (Jayawardene) showed his class as well. I’m very happy for him (the veteran made his 32nd Test century in the first innings).

“It’s wonderful to have them (players) and perform day in day out. It was a collective effort, I thought the seamers were brilliant and (spinner Rangana) Hertah did a good holding job.

“So it was a very good effort.”

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq felt Sri Lanka’s methodical approach helped them win the game, and said his spinners – including Saeed Ajmal – did not do enough with the ball.

“There was a lot of seam movement on the first day and the Sri Lankans were very disciplined with both bat and ball and that’s they won,” he said.

“Kaushal Silva was very good and disciplined. He played the seamers very well, left balls outside off and he did very well against Saeed Ajmal as well.

“They’ve been playing him for a long time now and the pitch wasn’t giving too much help. Both spinners struggled.”