Review - SL v Pak, 3rd test

The third test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan started on a sporting wicket, and it was no surprise when Mahela Jayawardene opted to bowl after winning the toss for the seventh straight time.

The openers endured a testing time, with the ball swinging around, and Nuwan Kulasekara and Dilhara Fernando left Pakistan in disarray at lunch – 81/4.

Pakistan pulled it back in the afternoon session with Asad Shafiq showing his class, first with Mishbah-ul-Haq, and then – with wickets falling around him – playing some of the most delightful shots of the tour, while compiling 75 runs to give his bowlers some total to bowl at.

Junaid Khan was in no mood to pay around when the Sri Lanka openers walked out to bat, and had them jumping around, and he had them in early trouble, taking two wickets in one over.

Sri Lanka, however, pulled together, and, after missing out on the third day due to rain, they put down the marker with 98 runs and no wickets in the first session on day three, bringing down their deficit to only 84 runs.

Pakistan had themselves to blame, too, as they dropped Thilan Samaraweera on 49 and he and Tharanga Paranavitana added 143 runs for the fourth wicket, before the former was trapped in front by Saeed Ajmal for 73.

After the hosts lost Paranavitana for 75, it seemed they might not get too much of a lead, but Thisara Perera put up his hand, scoring his test best of 75 and ensured a 111-run lead for the hosts.

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq really stuck it out, scoring a century each, and gave the visitors a lead of 269 before the surprise declaration of Misbah on the fifth day.

Sri Lanka started briskly, setting up a great last day’s play, as they went to tea on 132 for two, needing only 138 more runs in the final session on a pitch that played very well.

But Saeed Ajmal claimed three quick wickets and the hosts shut down shop, even though Kumar Sangakkara was well set on 74 - to the great frustration of the home crowd, to draw the match and seal the series.

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