PALLEKELE:
Pakistan were given a target of 377 runs to win a series-deciding third Test in Pallekele after Sri Lanka were all out for 313 just before lunch on the fourth day on Monday.
Skipper Angelo Mathews was last man out for 122, his fifth Test century. Fast bowler Imran Khan took the last five wickets after Sri Lanka started the day at 228-5.
The series is tied at 1-1 after Pakistan won the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets and Sri Lanka took the second in Colombo by seven wickets.
Skipper Angelo Mathews battled his way to an unbeaten 77 as Sri Lanka seized the advantage in the series-deciding third and final Test against Pakistan in Pallekele on Sunday.
The hosts gained a first-innings lead of 63 runs and then recovered from 35-3 in their second knock to post 228-5 by stumps on a rain-interrupted but absorbing third day’s play.
Mathews led from the front against a tiring Pakistani attack, adding 45 for the fourth wicket with Upul Tharanga (48) and 81 for the fifth with Jehan Mubarak (35).
Mubarak marked his recall to the Test side after almost eight years with a gutsy 35 before he was caught at short-leg off Yasir Shah in the final session.
Dinesh Chandimal returned to form with 39 not out, helping his captain put on 67 for the sixth wicket before bad light ended the day’s play early.
Sri Lanka will begin the fourth day with a commanding overall lead of 291 runs with five wickets in hand, having a clear advantage on the wearing pitch to break the 1-1 deadlock in the series.