3rd Test: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan at Pallekele

The deciding third Test at Pallekele is under way. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl. At 85/1, Sri Lanka will probably be the happier of the two teams at lunch. Rahat Ali took the wicket of Silva early on but since then Tharanga and Karunaratne have provided a fine rearguard fight back.

If the morning session belonged to Sri Lanka, the afternoon belongs to Pakistan. Two wickets in three overs have reduced Sri Lanka to 137/4. Mathews goes playing a poor shot. Three wickets for Yasir Shah. After a seven year absence from Test cricket, Jehan Mubarak strides out to the crease. No pressure...

What a topsy-turvy Test this has been so far. Sri Lanka had control at lunch on day one, Pakistan wrestled it back by bowling Sri Lanka out for 278 but now the game once again hangs in the balance as Pakistan have been reduced to 88/3 highlighted by Younis Khan getting himself run out in the last over before lunch.

I am interested to see how much this wicket turns on day four and five. Yasir Shah took five wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings and even the part time spin of Azhar Ali was able to get good purchase off the wicket on day one.

Play stopped due to rain. Pak 202/8, trailing SL by 76 runs

209 - 9

Safraz fighting with an unbeaten 72 !

Trail by 69 with last pair in...

Stumps , day 2.

This Test match has had more twists than Chubby Checker. Pakistan rattled out for a woeful 215 but then counter by reducing Sri Lanka to 55/3, effectively 118/3.

Sri Lanka lead by 291 runs with 5 wickets remaining

Stumps, Day 3

SL is in a pretty strong position.291 as lead and Pakistan never have had the best of a chases.
I predict a SL win with ease and with a couple of days to go,its a wager..