Yet another day of disappointment for the visitors with this tour fast becoming one that they will want to forget but to their horror, the game is not over yet! Despite some bowling heroics by the beleaguered Pakistan bowling attack which was already missing the services of Junaid Khan, the target of 271 to win and draw this series was always going to be a tough one but Herath, with 4 more wickets to add to his 9 from the 1st innings has made sure that only a miracle can now save Pakistan from a 2-0 Test series loss.

By PakPassion.net Staff (17th August, 2014)

Overnight: Sri Lanka are 177/2 with Kumar Sangakkara 66*, Mahela Jayawardene 49*, Lead by 165 runs


Morning Session

Sangakkara and Jayawardene threatened to extend the lead beyond reasonable proportions this morning as Jayawardene reached his 49th fifty in Tests. Saeed Ajmal struck soon after as Sangakkara gloved one to silly point. Jayawardene also fell victim to Ajmal in his last Test innings and Sri Lanka were four down. Skipper Mathews and Thirimanne accumulated and took the lead past 200 runs. Ajmal bowled a beautiful Doosra to get rid of Thirimanne and claimed his 3rd wicket of the day. Dickwella and Mathews again stabilized and added 22 runs till lunch was called.

At Lunch Sri Lanka were 234-5 leading by 222 runs with Mathews on 24* and Dickwella on 13*


Afternoon Session

Dickwella and Mathews resumed the second session positively until Wahab got Dickwella LBW in front to get Sri Lanka's sixth wicket. Parera did not last long as Wahab trapped him LBW in the same over and the score was 247-7 and it appeared that Pakistan's interest in the game was slowly being rekindled. However, Captain Mathews had other plans as he along with Prasad took the lead past 250. Mathews obdurate resistance was kept in check by Pakistan as he was also running out of partners with Prasad being run out and Herath clean bowled by Wahab.

Wahab Riaz looked to clean the tail by bowling reverse swing with the old ball as Pakistan didn't take the new ball. Welegedara was the final player who was run out. Brilliant bowling from Pakistan dismissed Sri Lanka for 282 to give them a target of 271 runs to win.

At Tea Sri Lanka were 282 All Out


Evening Session

Pakistan lost a wicket early as Khurram Manzoor who had a poor series so far edged one to the keeper. Shehzad also followed a few over later as he was plumb in front to Prasad.

Azhar Ali and Misbah didn't last long either and Pakistan were in all sorts of trouble at 39-4. Herath once again doing the damage as this was proving to be an uphill task for the visitors. Herath got his 3rd wicket of the innings when Younis missed a straight one while sweeping and was adjudged LBW to leave Pakistan at 50-5.

Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed came together with a 50+ runs partnership until Shafiq decided to come down the track to Herath to give him his fourth wicket. Rehman soon followed as Parera got him LBW for 5 which bought Wahab at the crease to join Sarfraz. Pakistan had lost 7 wickets in the session and they appeared to be pretty much out of the game.

At stumps Pakistan were 127-7 with Sarfraz on 38* and Wahab Riaz on 2*


Day Three: Fall Of Wickets

Morning Session

3-186 (Sangakkara, 66.2 overs)
4-189 (Jayawardene, 68.2 overs)
5-212 (Thirimanne, 82.3 overs)

Afternoon Session

6-247 (Dickwella, 95.1 overs)
7-247 (Parera, 95.3 overs)
8-278 (Prasad, 106.2 overs)
9-282 (Herath, 107.4 overs)
10-282 (Welegedara, 109 overs)

Evening Session

1-17 (Manzoor, 3.4 overs)
2-21 (Shehzad , 5.4 overs)
3-31 (Azhar, 10.2 overs)
4-39 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 14.3 overs)
5-50 (Younis, 18.1 overs)
6-105 (Shafiq, 34.4 overs)
7-122 (Rehman, 37.5 overs)

Summary Day 4

Yet another day of disappointment for the visitors with this tour fast becoming one that they will want to forget but to their horror, the game is not over yet! Despite some bowling heroics by the beleaguered Pakistan bowling attack which was already missing the services of Junaid Khan, the target of 271 to win and draw this series was always going to be a tough one but Herath, with 4 more wickets to add to his 9 from the 1st innings has made sure that only a miracle can now save Pakistan from a 2-0 Test series loss.

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