Glimpses of Mahela Jayawardene's last Test series

Aug 17, 2014

There was little doubt that the focus of the Test series against Pakistan was going to be on Mahela Jayawardene. Before the first Test in Galle, he was given a guard of honour from schoolchildren...•AFP

Larger than life: Billboards celebrating his career dotted ground...•AFP

The series then moved to the SSC, one of Jayawardene's favourite grounds•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

... To posters outside the ground•AFP

His final Test innings of 54 was not his most fluent, but the vintage shots were all on display and he walked off for the last time to an ovation from the SSC crowd•Associated Press

And the fans would have one more chance to pay tribute. This banner read: "Mahela, one of the world's best batsmen. You have our praise"•AFP

As were the fans, in huge numbers. Jayawardene bowed out of Test cricket after a 17-year career with 11,814 runs from 149 matches at 49.84, including 34 centuries•AFP

... And another one when he walked out to bat•AFP

... and his presence loomed large over the field of play•AFP

Jayawardene's parents were present on the opening day of the SSC Test•AFP

There was rich appreciation from the Pakistan team who formed a guard of honour for Jayawardene in the first innings•AFP

Pakistan's target was 271, but they they didn't look like getting close courtesy Rangana Herath. Jayawardene did his bit in the field too, snapping up Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq in the slips to take his tally of Test catches to 205 - second behind only Rahul Dravid•AFP

On the final day, Pakistan's resistance didn't last too long and with a 105-run win in the bag, it was time for Sri Lanka to lift Jayawardene on their shoulders for the customary lap of honour•AFP

A tribute to Jayawardene also made an appearance on the imposing ramparts of the Galle Fort, where fans watched Sri Lanka complete a thrilling win in the first Test•AFP

And the ground was decked with tributes to the batsman - from large banners...•AFP

They gave him a friendlier reception in the second innings•AFP

Pakistan lost a flurry of wickets but managed to hold on till stumps, meaning Jayawardene would have one more day to bask in the adoration of his fans•AFP

Jayawardene's family was at hand to witness the occasion•AFP