COLOMBO: Former captain Shoaib Malik hit an unbeaten 106 to put Pakistan on course for a face-saving victory in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka today.

Pakistan, who lost the first two Tests to hand Sri Lanka a decisive lead in the series, finally flexed their batting muscle to pile up 300-5 in their second innings by stumps on the third day. Kamran Akmal returned unbeaten on 60 after adding 114 for the unbroken sixth wicket with Malik as Pakistan established an overall lead of 366 runs with five wickets in hand. Sri Lanka will need to put on their best batting display in the series to record a 3-0 sweep over the remaining two days.

Pakistan appeared to have thrown away the advantage of a 66-run first innings lead when, starting the day at 16-1, they lost three quick wickets to slip to 67-4 before lunch. Malik and Misbah-ul Haq led the fightback with a 119-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Misbah made 65 before he gifted his wicket after tea, attempting a wild heave off seamer Angelo Mathews that took the edge to wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara. Malik reached his second Test century just before close by lofting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for a six, having survived a missed stumping by Sangakkara in the bowler’s previous over.

Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss conceded the hosts missed a second spinner alongside Herath after dropping Ajantha Mendis to accommodate veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas for his final Test. Vaas was kept out of the firing line till the 33rd over

on Wednesday before sending down 14 unsuccessful overs

for 29 runs.

“We lacked a bit of variety in the attack,” said Bayliss. “But we stuck it out there. Pakistan batted very well and showed what we need to do when our turn comes.” Pakistan had added just six runs to their overnight score when Fawad Alam fended at a short ball from left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara and spooned an easy catch to the bowler. Left-handed Alam, who hit 168 on his debut in the second Test, scored 16 in each innings here.

Younus Khan looked solid while making 19 when he was unfortunate to be given leg-before wicket to Nuwan Kulaksekera by umpire Ian Gould. Television replays showed an inside edge off the bat. Younus walked back dejected as Pakistan slipped to 54-3, just 120 runs ahead. Veteran Mohammad Yousuf was on 23 when he poked at a good length delivery from left-arm spinner Herath and edged a catch to wicket-keeper Sangakkara.

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN — 1st Innings: 299

SRI LANKA — 1st Innings: 233

PAKISTAN — 2nd Innings (Overnight 16-1)

F Alam c & b Thushara 16

Y Khan lbw b Kulasekera 19

M Yousuf c S’kkara b Herath 23

M Haq c S’kara b Mathews 65

S Malik not out 106

K Akmal not out 60

Extras: 9 (b6, lb2, w1)

Total: 300/5

FoW: 1-16, 2-22, 3-54, 4-67, 5-186

Sri Lanka bowling: Kulasekera 15-5-33-1, Thushara 19-2-84-1, Herath 37-6-113-2,

Vaas 14-6-29-0, Mathews 10-1-33-1