The elegant cover drivers and deft touches will not be seen in Test cricket again when Sri Lanka play in whites, as arguably one of the most stylish right-handers, Mahela Jayawardene, bid adieu the longest format of the game.
The Lankan Lions, however, made sure that their mainstay walks away on a winning note in his last Test series against Pakistan. They completed a 105-run victory over the visitors in the Jayawardene's farewell Test and clinched the two-match series 2-0.
Lanka took just under an hour on Monday to bundle Pakistan out for a mere 165 in the second innings at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was the wrecker-in-chief for the Islanders as he ripped through the Pakistan middle-order and finished with a five-for.
When Wahab Riaz was caught by Kaushal Silva off Herath, it was a festive atmosphere at the SSC. Jayawardene got a guard of honour from the students of Nalanda School, where he learnt his cricket and was also carried by his teammates around the ground.
Jayawardene delivered an emotional farewell speech in front to the home crowd, including Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse. The former Lankan skipper thanked everyone for their support during his playing time with the Test squad.
"Where can I start," Jayawardene said. "I've few people. Lionel Mendis, who has been coaching me since I was seven. All my school coaches and past cricketers who have helped me be the person I am, thank you very much.
"Let me take this opportunity to thank my school Nalanda. They've always been behind me for whatever I did. And to SSC for guiding me throughout the career. Let me thank Sri Lankan cricket for giving me this opportunity and the farewell they've given to me.
"And a thanks to his excellency the President for coming here and all the fans who have turned up in big numbers. Thank you for all the support. Thank you to my parents who have been there for me from day one and to my family and friends for being a strength over the years.
"Charlie my manager, thank you for all the help. Thanks to my lovely wife who has gone through a lot. It has been great to play for Sri Lanka and I've taken pride in wearing this Lankan cap. Thank you for all the memories."
The 37-year-old is stepping away from the long format to give youngsters a chance to flourish in the Tests, but his form has been quite good lately. He scored a brilliant 167 against South Africa in the last series and scored a well compiled fifty against Pakistan in the Colombo Test's second innings.
Meanwhile, heavy showers in the final day delayed the start but there was no doubt over the match's result as the visitors had lost seven wickets overnight. Once the ground was ready for play, Sarfraz Ahmed and Roaz put up stern resistance and denied the Lions for 40 minutes.
Chanaka Welegedara broke the stubborn 29-run eighth-wicket partnership, when Ahmed was caught at square-leg by Kumar Sangakkara. It was just a matter of time after that, as the hosts sent Riaz back to the pavilion and Junaid Khan was unavailable to bat due to injury.
