Sri Lanka Build Lead Of 237 Ahead Of Final Day

Sri Lanka Build Lead Of 237 Ahead Of Final Day

Pakistan took five wickets to keep their victory chances alive in Sharjah

©REUTERS/Nikhil Monteiro (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Sri Lanka 413 & 164-5 (Paranavitana 66no) v
Pakistan 340 (Younus Khan 122)
Third Test, Sharjah, day four
Scorecard | Day One | Day Two | Day Three

All four results remain possible going into the final day of the third Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah after neither side could grasp full control on day four.

Sri Lanka were impressive early as they dismissed Pakistan for 340 in reply to their 413 but were then held to 164 for five - a lead of 237 - at stumps.

Tharanga Paranavitana (66 not out) and Kumar Sangakkara (51) led Sri Lanka's charge while a brace of wickets apiece for Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul helped Pakistan fight back.

Chanaka Welagedara returned figures of five for 87 as Sri Lanka quickly wrapped up Pakistan's innings, the left-armer dismissing Abdur Rehman (3) and Junaid Khan (0).

Misbah-ul-Haq progressed from 50 to 89 before he was caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan off Suraj Randiv and Gul fell for five when he was caught by Angelo Mathews off Rangana Herath, who finished with three for 85.

Dilshan then fell early when Sri Lanka batted, hitting four in two balls before his third delivery saw him caught by Mohammad Hafeez off Gul.

Paranavitana and Sangakkara then put on 75 for the second wicket which was broken by Hafeez who had Sangakkara caught by Asad Shafiq.

After Gul trapped Mahela Jayawardene in front for 20, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal then took two wickets in an over to dismiss Mathews for 13 and Kaushal Silva for nought.

Paranavitana, however, stood firm, making 66 in 156 balls and was alongside Kosala Kulasekara, on four, when stumps were drawn.

© Cricket World 2011