Chases and turns: Five talking points from Sri Lanka-Pakistan series

Here are the five talking points from the Pakistan tour: 1) Skipper Babar Azam extended his prolific run of form to almost single-handedly drive the tourists in the two-match series. Azam's knocks of 119 and 55 powered the team to an opening win after they chased down a Galle record of 342. He hit 81 in Pakistan's mammoth chase of 508 in the second Test but it was a lone fight against an inspired Sri Lankan spin attack.

The 27-year-old star batsman has averaged over 63 in the last 12 months and is third in the Test batting rankings, behind Joe Root and Marnus Labuschagne. He is number one in ODI and T20 rankings. 2) Azam was far from the only star among the tourists, with opener Abdullah Shafique making it a series to remember after his match-winning 160 not out in the first Test.

Shafique, 22, batted with patience and commitment as the tourists chased down the Galle record target and Azam said the batsman is headed for the top. 3) Bowler Naseem Shah, 19, meanwhile rattled the Sri Lankan batsmen with his express to claim a match haul of five wickets in the second Test and add to Pakistan's steady stream of fast-bowling talent, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Galle hosted Australia and then Pakistan in four back-to-back Tests but the venue gave radically different pitches in each contest -- much to the surprise of the teams.

Sri Lanka lost their Australia opener on a vicious turner but then bounced back to beat the tourists on a pitch that turned on day four. After Pakistan chased down the Galle record in the first match, Sri Lanka's spin coach Piyal Wijetunge said the "wicket went flat" on day four and five. In the second match Pakistan seemed confident of chasing down 508 before their batting collapsed, but Azam said there