Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, 1st Test: Day 3 Scorecard and Report from Abu Dhabi

Pakistan remained in control of the first Test against Sri Lanka despite an improved day from the tourists in Abu Dhabi.

First the bowlers stepped up to restrict Pakistan in the morning, bowling them out for 56 further runs. Misbah-ul-Haq was the last man to depart, chasing quick runs and eventually falling on 135.

Pakistan 1st Innings	(SL 204)
Total	for 4	186	(61.3 ovs)
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
Karunaratne		b Junaid Khan	24	72	56
Silva	c A Akmal	b Junaid Khan	81	268	177
Sangakkara	c Y Khan	b Bhatti	55	138	99
M Jayawardene	c Shafiq	b Bhatti	0	5	1
Chandimal	not out		24	48	36
Extras	0nb 0w 0b 2lb	2
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Junaid Khan	13.3	0	46	2
Rahat Ali	17.0	6	33	0
Bhatti	14.0	1	65	2
Ajmal	13.0	3	30	0
Hafeez	4.0	1	10	0

It gave Pakistan a lead of 179 after the first innings, which Sri Lanka had narrowly inched past by stumps.

However, that effort came at a cost, with four top-order wickets falling.

As a result, Sri Lanka will in effect begin Day 4 at 7-4, a precarious position. Any rally from the tail, however, could yet cause Pakistan a few jitters in the fourth innings.

"

Captaincy Record For Pakistan In Tests. pic.twitter.com/rbKUwKEAmw

— PTV Sports Official (@PTVSp0rts) January 2, 2014"

The wickets were shared around the Sri Lankan bowlers on Day 3, with Rangana Herath collecting three in quick time, and Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal and Angelo Mathews all striking.

It served as a reminder of how fragile the Pakistan batting can be.

Sri Lanka started well in reply, reaching tea at 71 for one with Kumar Sangakkara and opener Kaushal Silva looking settled.

However, a double blow from Bilawal Bhatti finally wrested the advantage back—first he collected Sangakkara for 55, then he capped a disappointing Test for veteran Mahela Jayawardene with a first-ball duck.

"

Now both Kumar Sangakkara & Mahela Jayawardena have been dismissed "first ball" on four occasions each during their Test career #PakvSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 2, 2014"

The dismissal of Silva for 81 in the day also took the lustre off Sri Lanka's day.

Sri Lanka 2nd Innings	(Pak 383)	(SL 1st Inns 204)
Total	for 4	186	(61.3 ovs)
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
Karunaratne		b Junaid Khan	24	72	56
Silva	c A Akmal	b Junaid Khan	81	268	177
Sangakkara	c Y Khan	b Bhatti	55	138	99
M Jayawardene	c Shafiq	b Bhatti	0	5	1
Chandimal	not out		24	48	36
Extras	0nb 0w 0b 2lb	2
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Junaid Khan	13.3	0	46	2
Rahat Ali	17.0	6	33	0
Bhatti	14.0	1	65	2
Ajmal	13.0	3	30	0
Hafeez	4.0	1	10	0