On this day, ten years ago, the cricketing world bid farewell to one of its finest talents, Mahela Jayawardene, as he played his final Test match. The second Test of the home series against Pakistan at Colombo marked the end of an illustrious career for the Sri Lankan legend.
Known for his elegant stroke play and impeccable technique, Jayawardene left an indelible mark on the game. His last match was a fitting testament to his contributions to Sri Lankan cricket. The match began with Sri Lanka opting to bat first. Openers Upul Tharanga and Kaushal Silva laid a solid foundation by putting together a 79-run partnership.
However, the middle-order, which included seasoned campaigners Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardene, struggled to make a significant impact. Despite a valiant effort from Tharanga, who narrowly missed out on his second Test century by eight runs, Sri Lanka’s innings was curtailed at 320.
In response, Pakistan managed to take a slight lead by posting 332 runs on the board. Wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed was the star of the innings, scoring a well-crafted century. He was well supported by opener Ahmed Shehzad, who contributed 58 runs. Sri Lanka’s ace spinner, Rangana Herath, was the standout performer for the hosts, dismantling the Pakistani lineup with a remarkable nine-wicket haul.
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Jayawardene proved his mettle in his final Test innings
Trailing by 12 runs, Sri Lanka’s second innings saw a more determined effort from their batters. Tharanga provided a steady start with a fluent 45, but it was the partnership between Sangakkara and Jayawardene that became the highlight.
The two legends added 107 runs for the third wicket, with Sangakkara scoring 59 and Jayawardene contributing a composed 54 in what would be his final Test innings. Sri Lanka eventually set a target of 271 for Pakistan, finishing their innings at 282, with Angelo Mathews remaining unbeaten on 43.
The final chapter of the match saw Sri Lanka’s bowlers rise to the occasion. Dhammika Prasad and Herath quickly dismantled Pakistan’s top order, leaving the visitors in disarray. Despite some resistance from Asad Shafiq and Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan was bowled out for 165. Herath’s career-best figures of 14/184 played a crucial role in securing the 2-0 series whitewash for Sri Lanka.
Jayawardene ended his Test career with 11,814 runs in 149 matches, including 34 centuries. His final performance, marked by grace and determination, was a fitting end to a career that spanned 17 years. As the cricketing fraternity looks back on this day, Jayawardene’s legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest batsmen remains firmly etched in the annals of cricket history.