S. Lanka make bright start in Pakistan victory bid

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AFP) –

Pakistan cricketer Adnan Akmal (C) plays a shot as Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and captain Mahela Jayawardene look on during the fifth and final day of the third and final Test match between the sides at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, on July 12. Sri Lanka, set a victory target of 270, were 27-0 after five overs on Thursday.

Sri Lanka, set a victory target of 270 runs, were 27-0 after five overs at lunch on the fifth day of the third and final Test against Pakistan in Pallekele on Thursday.

Tharanga Paranavitana was unbeaten on nine and Dinesh Chandimal was on 14, with Sri Lanka still requiring 243 runs more in a minimum of 66 overs to take the series 2-0.

Sri Lanka are eyeing their first Test series win in three years since beating New Zealand 2-0 at home in 2009.

Mahela Jayawardene’s home team defeated Pakistan by 209 runs in the first Test in Galle before the rain-hit second match in Colombo was drawn.

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.

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

Shafiq, the top-scorer in the first innings with 75, hit nine boundaries in his second Test century when skipper Misbah-ul Haq 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.