I told Chandimal to come up with a big knock: Karunaratne

 Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne was pleased with the way Dinesh Chandimal batted in the series-levelling second Test victory against Australia on Monday.

Chandimal, who was stripped off Test captaincy in 2021, was in desperate need of a big knock having scoring just one hundred since June, 2018. With the series on the line, the former captain stepped up with a scintillating 206 not out as Sri Lanka posted 554 in the first innings.

Debutant spinner Prabath Jayasuriya then claimed 6-59 as Australia were all out for 151 in their second innings as the hosts won the second Test by an innings and 39 runs.

"I told Chandi to come up with a big knock. Last few years he was not very successful," Karunratne said after the match.

"When your senior player gives a knock like that, as captain it makes things easy for me. Angelo (Mathews) can fail, I can fail but I know that someone will fire for us. That's a good sign for series that's ahead," he added.

Sri Lanka are up against Pakistan at home for a two-Test series from July 16 at the same venue. Karunaratne felt that facing Pakistan will be a good challenge for his team.

"Pakistan is a strong side, a brilliant team. I think it will be more challenging than Australia. They play spin well," he said.