Mathews puts SL on top

Skipper Angelo Mathews battled his way to an unbeaten 77 as Sri Lanka seized the advantage in the series-deciding third and final Test against Pakistan in Pallekele on Sunday.

The hosts gained a first innings lead of 63 runs and then recovered from 35-3 in their second knock to post 228-5 by stumps on a rain-interrupted third day.

Mathews led from the front against a tiring Pakistani attack, adding 45 for the fourth wicket with Upul Tharanga (48) and 81 for the fifth with Jehan Mubarak (35).

Mubarak marked his recall to the Test side after almost eight years with a gutsy 35 before he was caught at short-leg off Yasir Shah in the final session.

Sri Lanka will begin the fourth day with a commanding overall lead of 291 runs with five wickets in hand, having a clear advantage on the wearing pitch to break the 1-1 deadlock in the series.

Play was held up twice by passing showers in the morning session and once again before tea, keeping the hard-working ground staff on their toes as they rushed in the covers to guard both the wicket and the outfield.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SRI LANKA: First innings 278 (Karunaratne 130, Tharanga 46; Yasir 5-78, Rahat 3-74)

PAKISTAN: First innings 215 all out (Shehzad 21, Azhar 52, Sarfraz 78 not out, Yasir 18; Prasad 3-78, Pradeep 3-29, Kaushal 3-37)

SRI LANKA: Second innings 228 for 5 (Tharanga 48, Mathews 77 not out, Mubarak 35, Chandimal 39 not out; Rahat 2-58, Yasir 2-70)