Thu, 03 Nov 2011 - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka,Pakistan and Sri Lanka in UAE 2011-12, 3rd Test Match

DAY, 5: Pakistan*: 340 - 87 / 4 in 57.0 overs RR: 1.53, Sri Lanka: 413 - 181/ 6 d in 58.0 overs RR: 3.12

Draw gives Pakistan series win

MATCH DRAWN: PAKISTAN WIN SEREIS 1-0

Pakistan continue to have a blank sheet under Misbah-ul Haq’s stewardship as far test losses after it managed a draw in the third and final test to win the series 1-0. Given a stiff target of 255 in 62 overs by Sri Lanka, Pakistan dawdled to 87 for 4 in 57 overs before both umpires decided that play couldn’t possible due to bad light. Having chasing the game for majority of five days, Pakistan would be a happy bunch with the draw that significantly gave them a series win against a better ranked team in almost six years.

Sri Lanka-trailing the series 0-1-were very late to force the issue continuing to bat on the fifth day after unusual rains delayed the start of play on the final day.

With first three hours lost to the play, Sri Lanka for some odd reasons continued to bat today. They batted for four overs after the delay to take score to 181 before declaring. Opener Tharanga Paranavitana remained unbeaten on 76 off 168 balls including five fours and one six but another overnight not out batsman Kosala Kulasekara didn’t do much before becoming Saeed Ajmal’s third victim of the innings.

Mohammad Hafeez got chase off to some refreshing start hitting a couple of fours upfront but once he was run-out for 13 Pakistan shut their pursuit to for the target. Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali didn’t show any intentions to as the duo batted almost nine overs for just runs. Left arm spinner Rangana Herath’s slider trapped Azhar LBW to lift Sri Lanka as Pakistan were reduced to 30 for 2.

With the fall of two wickets, it was occupation at the crease than scoring runs that became more important for Pakistan. Taufeeq did exactly that virtually blocking everything as he along with Younis Khan consumed another 13 overs to help Pakistan’s cause.

The visitors were relentless though with Chanaka Welegedra removed Younis for 35-ball 15 to give Sri Lanka a hope. In walked Misbah and in Taufeeq’s company the Pakistan skipper batted for another 15 overs. After tea, Taufeeq lost his concentration to cut a short ball straight into Kumar Sangakkara’s throat. The left hander scored 39, but, more importantly, consumed 121 balls.

With ball turning and men around the bat, it was all about survival for Pakistan batsmen. Asad Shafiq was given hard time by Lankan spinners. The right hander was lucky to be not given out when it appeared he had feathered one to wicketkeeper but umpire Simon Taufel wasn’t interested. Misbah was rock solid though at the other end bringing his dead defensive technique into play eating up 86 balls for his unbeaten 9. Asad too contributed to draw facing 55 balls.

Day 4: Bulletin on next page