Pakistan on course for series victory

Pallekele – Shan Masood and Younis Khan (left) compiled unbeaten centuries to keep Pakistan in the hunt for a landmark victory in the series-deciding third and final Test against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Set a challenging target of 377 runs, the tourists recovered from a shaky 13/2 to move to 230 without further loss by stumps on the rain-free fourth day in Pallekele.

Left-hander Masood was unbeaten on 114, having reached his first century by lofting off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal for a six over long-on towards the end of play.

Younis, who made his 100th Test appearance in the second match of the series, got to his 30th century in the day’s last over. The pair have put on 217 so far for the third wicket with Younis on 101.

Pakistan will enter the final day’s play needing a further 147 runs with eight wickets in hand on a wearing, but easy-paced pitch at the Pallekele Stadium.

If Pakistan win, it will be the first time a visiting team will have scored more than 300 runs in the fourth innings to win a Test on Sri Lankan soil.

Pakistan’s highest successful chase is 314 runs they made against Australia to win the Karachi Test way back in 1994.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s captain Angelo Mathews was last man out for 122 as the hosts took their overnight score of 228/5 to 313 before they were all out at the stroke of lunch. –