espnstar.com takes an analytical look at Sri Lanka's recent triumph over Pakistan in the Test series.

By Rajesh Kumar

Sri Lanka's magnificent 2-0 series victory is not only their first against Pakistan in Sri Lanka but also their fifth successive one at home.

Since losing by 1-0 to Pakistan at home in 2005-06, Sri Lanka have beaten South Africa, Bangladesh, England, India and Pakistan in succession as under:

Pakistan, on the other hand, have been facing their lean patch in Tests. Since defeating West Indies by 2-0 in Pakistan in December 2006, they have played five series, losing four - two to South Africa and one each to India and Sri Lanka while the remaining one against Sri Lanka at home in 2008-09 could not produce result.

Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lankan captain, top-scored in the series, aggregating 331 at an average of 66.20 - the most by any batsman in the recently concluded series. He was the only one to aggregate 300 runs or more.

Four other batsmen aggregated 200-plus in the series - Shoaib Malik (262), Mohammad Yousuf (253), Tharanga Paranavitana (242) and Fawad Alam.

Nuwan Kulasekara finished as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets at 15.05 runs apiece. He got his first ever Player-of-the-series award while Rangana Herath (15), Saeed Ajmal (14) and Thilan Thushara (12) were three other bowlers to end with 10 wickets or more in the series.