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12-Jul-2012 12:14:00 GMT
Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 3rd Test, Pallekele, 5th day

Sri Lanka Take Series After Thriller Draw

Pallekele: Sri Lanka won their first Test series in three years after the final Test against Pakistan ended in a thrilling draw in Pallekele on Thursday.

Dinesh Chandimal scored 65 and the prolific Kumar Sangakkara returned unbeaten on 74 as Sri Lanka made 195-4 before the game was called off with nine overs remaining.

The 1-0 scoreline -- following a 209-run victory in the first Test in Galle -- was Sri Lanka's first Test series win since beating New Zealand 2-0 at home in 2009.

The rain-hit second Test in Colombo was drawn, while the entire second day's play in Pallekele had been washed out.

Earlier, Asad Shafiq remained unbeaten on 100 as Pakistan declared their second innings at 380-8 half-an-hour before lunch to attempt a series-levelling win.

But the tourists were thwarted by a pitch that eased out under the hot sun and a determined effort by the home team's batsmen in front of some 1,000 spectators.

Openers Tharanga Paranavitana and Chandimal gave Sri Lanka a bright start with a 44-run partnership by the 10th over.

Left-handed Paranavitana made 22 when he was caught at second slip by Younis Khan off Junaid Khan, one ball after being dropped by Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq at first slip.

The 22-year-old's third half-century in four Tests contained fluent strokes on both sides of the wickets, including eight boundaries.

But Chandimal was dismissed in the last over before tea, snapped up low at mid-off by Shafiq off Ajmal, ending an 88-run stand for the second wicket with Sangakkara.

The tourists, who resumed at the overnight score of 299-8, added 81 runs in 24.4 overs in the morning session.

Shafiq, the top scorer in the first innings with 75, hit nine boundaries in his second Test century when Misbah declared as soon as the landmark was reached.

Adnan Akmal, batting with a hairline fracture in his left hand, scored a gutsy 35 not out as he put on 81 for the ninth wicket with Shafiq.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was Sri Lanka's most successful bowler with 4-99 in the second innings. Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando claimed 3-74.

Brief scores
Pakistan
226 (Shafiq 75, Misbah 40, Perera 4-63) and 380 for 8 dec (Ali 136, Shafiq 100*)
Sri Lanka 337 (Paranavitana 75, Perera 75, Samaraweera 73, Junaid 5-70) and 195 for 4 (Sangakkara 74*, Chandimal 65, Ajmal 3-50)
Result Match drawn
MOM Asad Shafiq (Pakistan)
Player of the series Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)


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