22 July,2009 07:08 PM IST | | Agencies
Former captain Shoaib Malik hit an unbeaten 106 on Wednesday to put Pakistan on course for a face-saving victory in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka here.
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 after failing to cross 300 in any of the five previous innings.
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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, staying together for the entire post-lunch session to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowlers on a hot and humid day.
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.
"We have learnt our lessons," said Malik. "All of us have been working hard on our game and trying to do the basics right.
"This wicket is a lot flatter than the ones in the previous two Tests, but we still needed to put our heads down and put up a big score.
"There could be some turn on the last two days. The captain and coach will decide on when we need to declare, if at all."
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, who claimed one wicket in the first innings, was kept out of the firing line till the 33rd over on Wednesday before sending down 14 unsuccessful overs for 29 runs.
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