Skipper Angelo Mathews fought hard despite early wickets as Sri Lanka achieved a lead of 291runs at stumps on day three of their third Test against Pakistan continued at Pallekele yesterday.
Mathews held up one end with an unbeaten 77 from 177 balls, while useful contributions from Upul Tharanga, Jehan Mubarak and Dinesh Chandimal helped Sri Lanka reach 228-5 with two more days to go for the decider, where the home team holds the edge over the visitors.
After being 4 for 80, skipper Mathews and comeback man, Jehan Mubarak (35) added 81 runs for the 5th wicket in 28 overs taking Sri Lanka out of danger while increasing the lead past 200.
Mubarak became the second victim of leg spinner Yasir Shah in the day as an inside edge was well caught by Azhar Ali at short leg for the second time of the day.
Dinesh Chandimal made it count when it matters the most with an unbeaten 39 runs in 47 balls, as along with his skipper the pair added 67 runs in 116 balls, accelerating in the latter part of the partnership.
Recalled left hander Upul Tharanga put the pressure back on the visitors after Pakistan fast bowlers took the early honors, with 47 balls 48 which gave some relief for the home camp. Tharanga was again unlucky in the 40s.
Just as in the first inning against Yasir Shah the flight deceived the batsman as Tharanga nicked the ball which ballooned over after hitting the pad, where Azhar Ali at short leg took a safe catch diving to his left.
With a lead of 63 runs Sri Lanka did not have the best of starts as Pakistan pace duo Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil sent home both openers back to the pavilion within just 8 overs. Vice captain Lahiru Thirimanne was bowled by Rahat Ali for a duck in the 11th over and Sri Lanka were three down for 35 after 11 overs.
Thirimanne had only scored one half century in his last 21 Test innings which includes 5 ducks. Sri Lanka wrapped up the Pakisan inning in the morning within 2 overs allowing only another 6 runs.
Match was interrupted 4 times during the day by rain and the Pallekele groundsmen did a wonderful job keeping the ground covered and dry to resume play as quickly as possible, to play 71 odd overs in the day despite interruptions.

Scores

Sri Lanka 1st inning 278(89.5) (D.Karunaratne 130, Yasir Shah 5-78)

Pakistan 1st Innings
Shan Masood lbw b Prasad 13
Ahmed Shehzad c Chandimal b Pradeep 21
Azhar Ali c Karunaratne b Pradeep 52
Younis Khan run out 03
Asad Shafiq lbw b Prasad 15
Sarfraz Ahmed not out 78
Misbah-ul Haq lbw b Pradeep 06
Ehsan Adil lbw b Kaushal 00
Yasir Shah c Chandimal b Prasad 18
Rahat Ali lbw b Kausha 02
Imran Khan b Kaushal 00
Extras (lb4, w1, nb2) 07
Total (all out, 66 overs) 215
Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-40, 3-45, 4-91, 5-135, 6-151, 7-152, 8-197, 9-202, 10-215.
Bowling: Prasad 19-1-78-3, Lakmal 14-1-64-0, Pradeep 15-5-29-3, Mathews 4-1-3-0, Kaushal 14-1-37-3.

Scores

Sri Lanka 2nd innings:
D. Karunaratne b Rahat 10
K. Silva c Misbah b Ehsan 03
U. Tharanga c Azhar b Yasir 48
L. Thirimanne b Rahat 00
A. Mathews not out 77
J. Mubarak c Azhar b Yasir 35
D. Chandimal not out 39
Extras (b4, lb9, w3) 16
Total (for five wickets, 69.4 overs) 228
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-22, 3-35, 4-80, 5-161
Bowling: Rahat 15-3-58-2 (w1), Ehsan 14-4-46-1 (w1), Imran 10.4-2-27-0 (w1), Yasir 25-4-70-2, Azhar 5-1-14-0

Sri Lanka’s batting great Kumar Sangakkara will hold a press conference within the next two–three days to announce his plans about retirement said Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews yesterday.
“He is still deciding on that, but he will hold a press conference within next two-three days to announce his decision” said Mathews.
Sangakkara who is nearing his retirement hasn’t announced specified dates about his retirement, but earlier he said he won’t be playing more than two Test series after the World Cup. It was also said that Sangakkara will play the next Test against Pakistan but his commitment for English county team Surrey will result in him flying back to England during Sri Lanka’s third Test against Pakistan.
The first Test against India at Galle is said to be his swansong, which he is yet to confirm.