Win was unexpected, says Sangakkara

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara hailed his players for stepping up and taking responsibility after they secured a dramatic second Test victory over Pakistan in Colombo.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara hailed his players for "stepping up and taking responsibility" after they secured a dramatic second Test victory over Pakistan in Colombo.

The home side won inside three days by overhauling their victory target of 171 with seven wickets to spare to clinch a series triumph with one game to go.

High five: Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara and his predecessor Mahela Jayawardene enjoy their first home series win against Pakistan in Colombo yesterday. pic/afp

It marked an astonishing turnaround on a day which Pakistan started in the ascendancy.

The visitors looked in complete control in the morning session with debutant Fawad Alam and skipper Younis Khan amassing runs with ease.

But Younis' dismissal shortly before lunch prompted an astonishing collapse Pakistan's third in the series so far with the remaining nine Pakistan wickets going down for just 35 runs.

Alam can be excused as his sparkling 168 was the highlight of a largely disappointing display from the tourists while, for Sri Lanka, it was nearly all positives.

Nuwan Kulasekara finished with match figures of eight for 58 while Rangana Herath took five for 99 in Pakistan's second innings.

Sangakkara hit 87 in the first innings and a vital quickfire 46 in the run chase and was delighted with the way his team responded to the fluctuating fortunes in the match.

"It's a very special win and something that all of us wanted. But we didn't expect to win in this fashion," he said.

"They have been two very absorbing Test matches with the balance swinging this way and that between the two sides.