Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan: 3rd Test Day 4 Takeaways

There is just one day left in the third and final Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and the game is very intriguingly poised.

The away side headed into the close of play on 230-2, requiring 147 runs to win and still with eight wickets in hand.

Things looked difficult for Pakistan at one stage, as they found themselves 13-2, but Shan Masood and Younis Khan helped them recover brilliantly.

It all came after Sri Lanka’s second innings folded for 313 after they had been 228-5, albeit on a pitch that has plenty to offer the bowlers.

With a fascinating fifth day in prospect for both teams, and with the away side in front and looking set for the win, let’s look at some takeaways from the fourth day.

Angelo Mathews leads Sri Lanka batting almost alone

Sri Lanka began the day on 228-5, ahead by 291 and so with plenty still to do if they were to move ahead and set Pakistan an unreachable total for the fourth innings.

They were led by captain Angelo Mathews, who made a very calm 122 from 252 balls, an innings that included 12 fours and one six.

Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press

He was aided by Dinesh Chandimal, who made 67 from 103 at No. 7, with Jehan Mubarak having departed the previous day.

However, when Chandimal was out with the score on 278-6, the tail crumbled in the face of some good bowling from seamer Imran Khan.

He removed Dhammika Prasad on the first ball, then cleaned up the rest in short order to finish with 5-58 off 20.4 overs.

In the end, Mathews was left to try to hit runs almost on his own and did well to bring up his century and take the Sri Lankans to a lead of 376.

Unfortunately for him, he had very little support from the tail, and by not reaching a 400 lead or more, the hosts have left the door open for Pakistan.

Early wickets will keep bowlers interested

Things looked promising for Sri Lanka, as they reduced Pakistan to 13-2,  with Suranga Lakmal removing Ahmed Shehzad for a duck in his first over of the innings.

Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press

Azhar Ali followed shortly after for just five runs, caught by Chandimal off Prasad, and at 13-2, things looked tough for the away side’s batsmen.

The pitch may have slowed down, but the early going has given the bowlers plenty of hope, especially as they kept things tight and their pace up. Given the assistance that somewhat exists in the pitch, the Sri Lankan bowlers may well feel they can rip some wickets out early on in the fifth day.

On the fourth, they showed what they are capable of, and what this pitch can offer if they get it right.

Pakistan in the driving seat

At 13-2, Masood and Khan would have feared the worst, but together they rebuilt the innings and have put Pakistan in a very strong position.

The pair coped well with the early pressure, then released the valve as they took 92 off 20 overs from inexperienced spinner Tharindu Kaushal. Both brought up centuries towards the end of the day, and with a full day ahead of them tomorrow, they are in the perfect spot to take their side to victory.

It would be a historic win, too, as no team has scored 300 or more to win batting last in Sri Lanka.

Conclusions

It promises to be an exciting fifth day, especially after a fourth day that ebbed and flowed but ended up with Pakistan holding the advantage.

If Khan and Masood can continue their good work from today and their teammates can follow suit, the away side will fancy their chances.

However, if Sri Lanka’s bowlers can step up and take wickets regularly, they could well force a win, too.

Either way, this game is now intriguingly poised.