Mahela Jayawardene: Farewell to Sri Lanka's 'Mr Class Act'

Published Sunday, August 17, 2014

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene walked off to a standing ovation on Sunday after his farewell test innings ended on 54 on the fourth morning of the second test against Pakistan.

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jaywardene walks off the field after his dismissal during the fourth day of their second and final test cricket match against Pakistan in Colombo August 17, 2014. (REUTERS)

The 37-year-old right-hander came down the track to off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, trying to loft him over mid-wicket, but only managed to hit it in the air for Ahmed Shehzad to run back and take a good catch.

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jaywardene waves his bat at his fans as he walks off the field after his dismissal during the fourth day of their second and final test cricket match against Pakistan in Colombo August 17, 2014. (REUTERS)

The former Sri Lanka captain cursed himself and shook his head in disappointment as he walked back but eventually took off his helmet and bandana and acknowledged the cheers from the crowd with a raised bat and a big smile on his face.

Pakistan's Wahab Riaz shares a moment with Sri Lanka's Mahela Jaywardene as Jayawardene walks off the field after the dismissal during the fourth day of their second and final test cricket match in Colombo August 17, 2014. (REUTERS)

Jayawardene had resumed on his overnight score of 49 and reached his 50th test fifty with a sweep off Ajmal for four to fine leg that was greeted with loud applause from the crowd.

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene (L) celebrates his final test cricket half century next to Kumar Sangakkara during the fourth day of their second and final test cricket match against Pakistan in Colombo August 17, 2014. Jayawardene, playing his last test, added 98 for the unbroken third wicket with his long-standing partner Kumar Sangakkara (54 not out) as Sri Lanka ended the third day against Pakistan on 177 for two wickets. (REUTERS)

On 53, the elegant batsman survived a confident appeal for a caught behind off Wahab Riaz but the third umpire ruled in favour of the batsman as replays failed to confirm the authenticity of the catch taken by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene (C) raises his bat to the crowd after he was dismissed during the fourth day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo on August 17, 2014. Jayawardene, 37, is due to retire and is playing his last Test match on his home ground in the Sri Lankan capital. (AFP)

Jayawardene signed off with the bat with 11,814 runs from 149 tests at an average of 49.84, making him the seventh highest run-getter in the world in test cricket. (Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)

Sri Lankan specators cheers as they carry a banner bearing the image of Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene during the fourth day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo on August 17, 2014. (AFP)

Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene (C) is congratulated by Pakistan cricketers as he arrives on the pitch to bat during the third day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo on August 16, 2014. Jayawardene, 37, is due to retire and is playing his last Test match on his home ground in the Sri Lankan capital. (AFP)

The wife of Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene, Christina Sirisena, holds their daughter as she watches the third day of the second cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo on August 16, 2014. Jayawardene, 37, is due to retire and is playing his last Test match on his home ground in the Sri Lankan capital. (AFP)

Sri Lanka cricketer Mahela Jayawardene (C) walks through an 'archway of cricket bats' as he walks out to field during the second day of the second Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo on August 15, 2014. (AFP)

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