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Pallekele: Thisara Perera hit a brisk half century to earn Sri Lanka a 111-run first-innings lead against scrappy Pakistan on the third day of the third and final Test on Tuesday. In reply, Pakistan were 27/1 at stumps, trailing by 84 runs.
Taufeeq Umar is desperately unlucky to be given who's had to stand-in as wicketkeeper for 100 overs and then open the innings. The ball pitched outside leg stump on a good length and struck the pad as Taufeeq moved forward to play across the line. He missed and was hit flush on the pad.
Perera, batting at No.8, was dropped on 11 and 22 before scoring 75 off 86 balls with four boundaries and three sixes as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 337 in reply to Pakistan's 226.
Opening batsman Tharanga Paranavitana (75) and Thilan Samaraweera (73) also scored half centuries and shared a 143-run fourth-wicket stand before Perera's onslaught when Pakistan took the second new ball after tea.
Perera shared a Sri Lanka record 84-run eighth-wicket stand with Nuwan Kulasekera, who contributed 33.
Fast bowler Junaid Khan took 5-70 while Saeed Ajmal claimed 3-66.
Earlier Sri Lanka emerged unscathed from a testing morning session to frustrate Pakistan's bid for quick wickets before lunch.
When play resumed on Tuesday after the entire second day's play had been washed out, the fourth-wicket pair of Tharanga Paranavitana and Thilan Samaraweera lifted the hosts to 142 without further loss by lunch.
The pair survived a hostile spell from the Pakistani seamers, especially left-armer Junaid Khan, to add 98 runs in overcast conditions and leave their team just 84 runs behind Pakistan's total.
Left-handed Paranavitana bowled by Saeed Ajmal on 75, his highest in the series, reaching his 11th Test half-century by smashing Younis Khan through the covers for his eight boundary.
Samaraweera leg before by Ajmal on 73.
Pakistan felt the absence of wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal, who was confined to the dressing room with a hairline fracture in his left hand sustained while batting on the opening day.
Taufeeq Umar, who kept wickets, has so far conceded 16 byes.
Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0, having won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs. The second Test in Colombo was drawn.
Brief scores
Pakistan 226 and 27 for 1
Sri Lanka 337 (Paranavitana 75, Perera 75, Samaraweera 73, Junaid 5-70)
Status Pakistan trial by 84 runs
