Dhammika Prasad Helps Put Sri Lanka on Course for Victory over Pakistan

The P Sara Oval in Colombo has been a happy hunting ground for spinners in Test cricket. 

Unsurprisingly, Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker at the venue, per Howstat.com. His 52 scalps came at a cost of 23.81, and he took match figures of 12 for 225 against South Africa in 2006.

Rangana Herath—with 24 wickets—sits second on the list, still some way behind his compatriot, though it’s not just homegrown slow bowlers who have prospered.

Australian great Shane Warne picked up 11 wickets at an at average of 17.09, with a stunning strike-rate of 30.

Graeme Swann also enjoyed playing at the venue, taking 10 wickets, as too did fellow Englishman Derek Underwood—the latter claimed eight wickets in 55.4 overs.

The conditions at the ground favour spin—admittedly, that is hardly a surprise in Sri Lanka—but seamers can have a positive impact on matches there, too.

Sri Lanka may have thought that the slow-bowling combination of Herath and Tharindu Kaushal would be the key to their hopes of levelling the current Test series against Pakistan.

Instead, though, the most important contribution with the ball for the hosts has come from Dhammika Prasad.

The paceman—whose full name is Kariyawasam Tirana Gamage Dhammika Prasad—has picked up match figures of seven for 135, a new career best in the longest form of the game.

Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press

He knocked over Pakistan’s top order first time around, removing the top three, as the tourists were bowled out for 138, hardly the kind of score captain Misbah-ul-Haq had in mind when he won the toss and opted to bat first.

In the second innings, however, Prasad conjured up crucial wickets on a dry surface to make sure Sri Lanka did not waste a first-innings lead of 177.

Ahmed Shehzad was his first victim, caught behind for 69. Then, on day four, the 32-year-old dismissed Misbah—for a second time in the match—and Sarfraz Ahmed, exposing Pakistan’s lower order.

In the end, the visitors' innings was wrapped up by tea. Having bowled out their opponents for 329, an excellent effort considering Pakistan had at been 202 for two at one stage, Sri Lanka were left needing 153 to see the series finish 1-1. 

Bad weather denied them the chance to begin their chase in the evening session, but that should not unduly concern them.

If they go on to win, Prasad will have played a key role.

His international career has been hampered by spells on the sidelines, a blow not just to his statistics but also his own pocket, as ESPN Cricinfo's Andrew Fidel Fernando revealed: "Each injury has entailed a dip back into first-class circuit. This is not like playing county or shield cricket, where domestic cricketers have generous contracts and benefit seasons. Playing club cricket in Colombo often means working a second job."

He has played just 18 Tests since making his debut in 2008, but, with 10 wickets in the series, it seems the ever-willing bowler is now ready to cash in on his talents.