Sri Lanka took an unbeatable lead in the three match Test series when they thumped Pakistan by seven wickets in the second Test.
Malinda Warnapura hammered a brisk half-century as Sri Lanka triumphed over Pakistan with a convincing seven-wicket victory in just three days in the second Test in Colombo.
The left-hander led the way with a knock of 54 as the hosts overhauled a target of 171 to prevail in a topsy-turvy match and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Pakistan had begun the day in the ascendancy with captain Younus Khan cracking 82 and debutant opener Fawad Alam breaching the 150-run mark.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, however, engineered a dramatic collapse, skittling out the visitors for 320 just after lunch - a target of just 171 for the home side.
Herath finished with figures of five for 99 while Kulasekara chipped in with four for 37.
Resuming this morning on 178 for one, an overall lead of 28, overnight batsmen Younus and Alam continued the process of accumulating runs to build Pakistan's lead.
Sri Lanka's bowlers looked ordinary for the most part in overcast conditions.
Captain Sangakkara opted to start proceedings with Tharanga Paranavitana, but the part-time spinner leaked runs and was quickly removed from the attack.
Sangakkara then turned to his specialist bowlers, but had little success there either as Pakistan began to turn on the heat.
Younus reached his half-century in quick time, while Alam went past the 150-mark as the pair frustrated the home side with a 200-run stand for the second wicket.
But a poor shot from Younus eventually gave the home side their first breakthrough and led to Pakistan's abject capitulation.
The Pakistan skipper attempted a reverse-sweep off Paranavitana but only managed a top-edge which lobbed off his shoulder to wicketkeeper Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Younus went for 54, his wicket just before the lunch interval invigorating the home side.
Sangakkara raised eyebrows when he threw the new ball to Herath first up after the break, but reaped instant rewards when Herath sent back Mohammad Yousuf.
Yousuf has a poor history against left-arm spinners and here too he was baffled with one that straightened and trapped him in front when on six.
Kulasekara then took charge, although he was somewhat fortunate with his appeals.
He won a leg-before decision from umpire Daryl Harper to send back Misbah-ul-Haq (three), although replays suggested the decision a touch doubtful.
The ball had pitched well outside off-stump and veered in sharply, rapping the batsman just above the knee-roll.
Kamran Akmal (three) and Abdur Rauf (duck) were both dismissed in almost identical fashion and without any significant addition to the visitors' total.
In between, Herath bowled Shoaib Malik for six with one that found the gap between bat and pad, and also brought an end to debutant opener Alam's innings for 168.
Alam had attempted a push through mid-wicket, but only managed to squeeze it off his pad and straight to Warnapura at forward short leg.
Kulasekara then brought the innings to an end by trapping Saeed Ajmal in front for nought.
From a comfortable 285 for two, Pakistan had slumped to 320 all out in the space of just under 19 overs.
Sri Lanka's openers then pressed home the advantage with a solid opening stand.
Warnapura, who has struggled in the series to date, hit his way back into form with a belligerent innings.
The left-hander achieved his half-century off just 44 deliveries, but was eventually dismissed caught behind by Akmal off Rauf.
His opening partner Paranavitana earlier departed for 17, bowled by Ajmal, but Sangakkara took up the chase until he fell with his team just 11 short of victory.
Mahela Jayawardene (37 not out) and Thilan Samaraweera (six not out) ensured no further blemish as Sri Lanka cantered home.
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This is the first home series win for Sri Lanka against Pakistan. Kumar Sangakkara was simply outstanding.Angelo Mathews is a newcomer and he also gave a satisfactory performance. Pakistani were very disappointed.This was the last test match of Vaas who has been an inspiration to a lot of young bowlers. For more information refer Test match
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