Pakistan’s 2nd innings recovery did nothing but raise even more questions as to why the 1st innings performance was so bad, and despite the 2nd innings collapse, it was this 1st innings total which cost in the end. Had they scored even a hundred more, they would have fancied bowling out Sri Lanka for less than 270 on a 4th innings pitch.

So, where did it all go wrong? Pakistan’s 2nd innings collapse all started when Sri Lanka took the new ball and the Pakistan batsmen just did not have an answer. The Sri Lankan’s did bowl well but questions will be asked of the Pakistan batsmen, particularly the early to middle order. Though Misbah was unlucky to be given out today, he will be under pressure for the last Test having made just one 50 in four innings this series. His other scores were just 7, 0 and 3. The captain has also a lot to answer for with poor decision making throughout. I have long questioned the purpose of a reverse sweep and today you could see why as Younis gave his wicket away, triggering the collapse. The list below of our middle order’s performances in this series so far, does not make good reading:

Younis Khan: 25 – 3 – 0 – 82
Mohammad Yusuf: 112 – 12 – 10 – 6
Shoaib Malik: 38 – 0 – 39* – 6
Misbah Ul-Haq: 56 – 7 – 0 – 3
Kamran Akmal: 31 – 6 - 9 – 3

It’s about learning from mistakes; Pakistan repeated their mistakes (three batting collapses in two Tests) and Sri Lanka did not. But what is behind this? Is it the will to win? Coaching influence? Mentality? Professionalism? If it is, then it’s clear why Sri Lanka should beat us every time.

For the neutral, Test cricket is well and truly alive and for the Pakistan fan, Pakistan Test cricket is also well and truly alive. It’s not too much to suggest that we should be 0-2 up in the series, or 0-1 at least. But the reality is that Pakistan now find themselves 2-0 down, an unassailable lead in the three match series giving Sri Lanka their first series win over Pakistan on home soil.

I’d still be a Pakistan fan though, just don’t ask me why.

Having required just 97 runs over night, Pakistan managed to lose their remaining 8 wickets for just 46. Divide that 97 by 8 and all each batsmen had to make was a measly 13 runs and victory would have been achieved. Unbelievable when you look at it like that right?

So was it devil of a wicket, good Sri Lankan bowling or Pakistani complacency? Judging by reports, the wicket was not a 46 for 8 type of wicket and though the Sri Lankan bowlers did bowl well, their first innings bowling and the small target meant that this second reason wasn’t the main cause of Pakistan’s downfall either. This leaves the reason of complacency, for which I will now introduce Mr Younis Khan: “We never thought we’d lose this game”. Lovely.

But let’s give the Sri Lankans some credit. Having noticed how well the Pakistanis took to hypnotism in the Twenty20 World Cup, the Sri Lankans decide to hire one of their own in the shape of Rangana Herath, and boy did he do his job with figures of 11 overs, 4 for 15.

But as far as match winning performances go, that I’m afraid goes to the man on the losing side, Mohammad Aamer. I say man, more like boy. With 6 wickets in his first Test, it is the 17 year old that I feel most sorry for as he deserved to be on the winning side. Barely 3 months into his 17 years, Pakistan need to be careful on how they use him in what is the most exacting version of the game. He is still growing and will need to be handled carefully to stay away from serious injuries. Left arm fast bowlers that swing it both ways don’t grow on trees; not even in Pakistan.