Welcome back. Hafeez to take strike against Welegedara

0.1

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, shortish one, tries to pull from outside off stump, sends it to mid on

Three slips, gully

0.2

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, length ball pushed on the off side

0.3

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, hint of straightening just outside off stump, he gets across and blocks

0.4

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, on the pads this time, but his flick goes straight to square leg

0.5

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, Hafeez went reaching to a wide delivery and dabbed it to the right of Mahela at third slip who dived and parried it away, saved four

0.6

Welegedara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, straightish length ball patted back down the track

Prasad to bowl from the other end

1.1

Prasad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, umpire Tarapore is unmoved, that came back in a mile really from a length outside off and rapped Hafeez on the pads on the crease, Prasad appeals, that looked high

1.2

Prasad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, whoa, another one moves in too much and hits Haeez on the pad again, this one was going down leg even as Prasad's appeal was as strong as the previous one

1.3

Prasad to Mohammad Hafeez, 2 runs, widish now outside off, and slapped past point

1.4

Prasad to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, Hafeez is not enjoying all the movement in to him, this time at least he comes forward, and manages an inside edge towards square leg

1.5

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, no run, moves in the left hander but goes down the leg side

1.6

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, no run, ripper, Prasad has deserved a wicket this over, now he sends one nipping across Taufeeq and past his outside edge from a length

Saud: "I simply love this part of Test Cricket where openers have to battle out these last few overs. This will show how much Pak openers have grown up..."

2.1

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, gets forward and pushes at this one going across him, it rolls back to the bowler

2.2

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, 2 runs, width and Hafeez is happy to stay back and push it through cover

2.3

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, much better from Welegedara, fuller and closer to off stump, pushed towards mid off

2.4

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, shuffles across and defends a tight length ball

2.5

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, well forward and blocks a length ball starting to come in a bit

2.6

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, bounce this time but too far outside off to be meddled with

hassan: "i think this wicket will produce a result because new ball is swinging,old ball is reversing,and spiners are getting turn and variable bounce.so, i am hopeful for a result here and looking forward for the 5th day of the test."

3.1

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, no run, squared up and beaten by one that angles across and leaves him, he is batting with an open stance, and the front leg did not get well forward that time

3.2

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, no run, pushed towards mid off

3.3

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, 2 runs, pitched up and he goes through with the drive, getting it straight past the non-striker

3.4

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, no run, bat closes in his hands as he drives hard towards the bowler

3.5

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, no run, Sri Lanka appeal loudly, they continue appealing, Mahela gives the astonished pose, Prasad glares, but umpire Tarapore got it spot-on this time, Taufeeq could not get out of the way of a shortish one and it flew off the arm for Silva to take a blinder diving in front of first slip, no bat on it though

3.6

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, no run, gets bat in front of pad and pushes down to mid off

Oshada: "Oh no! A pitch which looks likely to produce a result! I hope someone informs the ICC of this travesty, we can't have results in Test matches!"

4.1

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, good carry but it goes across the batsman outside off for him to easily shoulder arms

4.2

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, a touch closer and HAfeez was unsure whether to push at it or leave it, just managed to pull the bat inside the line as it rushed past

4.3

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, makes an early decision to let this one go outside off,

4.4

Welegedara to Mohammad Hafeez, OUT, another blinder, and this is off the bat, Hafeez has to go, he pushed away from the body to a fuller length delivery going across, thick edge was flying to the third man boundary before Mahela got in the way with a big dive to his right at third slip to pouch it with both hands, he is engulfed by his team-mates, outstanding catching

Mohammad Hafeez c Jayawardene b Welegedara 6 (24m 19b 0x4 0x6) SR: 31.57

4.5

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, pushed away on the off side from a length

4.6

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, pushed towards cover off the back foot

5.1

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, fullish one tucked off the pads wide of mid on

5.2

Prasad to Azhar Ali, no run, straightish length ball left alone outside off

5.3

Prasad to Azhar Ali, no run, back of a length, jabbed away on the bounce to gully

5.4

Prasad to Azhar Ali, 1 run, incoming full delivery worked through midwicket

Morfi: "Now THIS is going to test Pakistan - perhaps for the first time this series... Lets see how stern is the stuff they are made of..."

5.5

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, no run, tests him with the short ball again, this one climbs high and he avoids it easily

5.6

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, on the pads from a length, worked square for one

6.1

Welegedara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, fine leave outside off from Taufeeq as Welegedara hits a length close to the stumps and gets sharp bounce

6.2

Welegedara to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, closer to off stump, he pushes firmly towards mid on and they scamper across

azharalifan: "I think Azhar ali should open for pakistan, has a much better technique than hafeez."

6.3

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, goes full on the stumps, Azhar pats it back to the bowler

Asif: "Damn, I Luv this kind of situations where batsmen have to survive and ball has some kind of swing."

6.4

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, 2 runs, goes on the pads now and is tucked through midwicket

Three slips, gully, short midwicket

6.5

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, well bowled, angled across close to off, pushed away towards cover

6.6

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, left alone outside off

7.1

Prasad to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, moving across from leg to middle on a length, tucked square for a single

Two slips and a gully now

7.2

Prasad to Azhar Ali, no run, fine push from Azhar, PRasad bends it in from a fullish length, mid on runs across and fields

slfan: "lets see if jinx works against azher ali now .."

7.3

Prasad to Azhar Ali, no run, some bounce from a good length, he defends with a straight bat towards mid off

7.4

Prasad to Azhar Ali, no run, ducks and avoids a bouncer

7.5

Prasad to Azhar Ali, no run, punched off the back foot on the up to mid off

7.6

Prasad to Azhar Ali, no run, short ball comes in and goes down leg as Azhar ducks

Asif: "@azharalifan: this is not fair, don't blame hafeez as he has done well recently."

8.1

Welegedara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, smacked off the front foot, Welegedara gets a hand and takes pace off it

James: "I can see why Pakistan would not open with Taufeeq and Azhar: free scoring unlikely."

Round the stumps now

8.2

Welegedara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, angles it across the left-hander who shoulders arms, that was not far from off

8.3

Welegedara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, wider outside off with the angle, left alone

8.4

Welegedara to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, tucks a short of a length ball off pad to fine leg

Akib: "Azhar would make a good opener, i agree, Hafeez a number 3. but i am more interested in Umar, i know he scored 236, bu he needs to just bat slow like he does, no need for the shot.. longer he bats, the better for pakistan, even if he doesnt score much. his average is stil a solid 40 but played a lot against small teams..."

8.5

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, fullish one pushed to mid on

Man at short mid on now

8.6

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, FOUR, Azhar almost does a Hafeez, goes pushing at one outside off, it goes along the ground past gully

Ali: "Can you please let them score? Forget about free scoring as long as they are on the crease."

Kosala to bowl on Test debut

9.1

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, 2 runs, starts off with one angled across at 125 kph, he leans forward and across and pushes through cover

9.2

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, FOUR, this one was struck hard, mid off parried it with a dive, but it still had enough to go into the straight boundary

Dilshan has a chat with Kosala

9.3

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, gets it on target for the first time, swings in full on middle and leg, flicked to fine leg

9.4

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, weak push, Azhar goes poking too far away from his body to a straightish length ball and is beaten

9.5

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, 1 run, nippy delivery on the pads worked through square leg

9.6

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, full outside off at 128 kph, he leaves it alone

Time for some spin, here is Herath, slip and short leg in place

10.1

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, tossed up delivery patted away on the off side

10.2

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, no silly point in and he pushes in the air through that region towards cover

Silly point comes in now

10.3

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, down the track to a flighted one and digs it out towards mid on

10.4

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, defended down the track off the front foot

10.5

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, punched off the back foot to cover

10.6

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, almost carried to short leg as he lunged forward to push at a length ball, it did carry in fact, but Para could not hold on, but it was off the pad anyway

11.1

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, left alone outside off

11.2

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, another one let go outside off

11.3

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, FOUR, fuller delivery and he goes after it, driving it hard straight past the bowler

11.4

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, 128.6 kph length ball around middle and leg, defended

Umpire Tarapore is having a look at Kosala's followthrough

11.5

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, tucks a short of a length ball towards square leg for one

11.6

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, angled in from wide of the crease on the pads, worked to midwicket

12.1

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, no run, pushed off the front foot down the track

12.2

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, no run, turning in from outside off, he gets forward and blocks

12.3

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, no run, beats him in flight this time as Taufeeq lunges forward, it almost sneaks in through the gate but he hits him on the pad

12.4

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, no run, defended off the front foot

12.5

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, no run, bends forward and gets an inside edge to short leg, more flight from Herath

12.6

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, no run, fuller one patted back to the bowler

Dr Tam: "Taufeeq is looking positive which is a good thing. For the first time in the series SL seemed to be dictating their way because Dilshan and Sanga were being POSITIVE. This positivity is the essence of modern day test cricket, I fancy."

13.1

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, moves in but way outside off and is left alone calmly

13.2

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of a length ball left alone again

13.3

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, 1 run, moves in and bounces on leg, he takes a hand off the bat as he tucks it to fine leg

13.4

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, that is a brave leave, 127.5 kph delivery skidding through very close to off stump, Taufeeq shouldered arms

13.5

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, hits him high on the pad as he bends forward

13.6

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, angled across from wide of the crease, solidly blocked

14.1

Herath to Azhar Ali, 1 run, comes down the track and gets off strike with a push towards midwicket

14.2

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, no run, he is flighting it in to the rough outside off, and getting it to spin in sharply, inside edge to short leg

14.3

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, no run, pushed to mid on, Taufeeq trots half way down the track before deciding to go back

14.4

Herath to Taufeeq Umar, OUT, Sri Lanka have another one, Silva whipped off the bails and immediately started celebrating, Taufeeq was drawn forward with the flight again, this one went straight past the push and Silva had the bails off with Taufeeq's back foot on the line

Taufeeq Umar st †Silva b Herath 19 (64m 40b 2x4 0x6) SR: 47.50

Farhan: "Welcome to the jinx club Dr.Tam :).. You finally got one.."

14.5

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, tossed up ball patted to silly point off the front foot

14.6

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, bat in front of pad as he pushes forward to defend

Randiv comes on

15.1

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, turns in from outside off, pushed on the leg side

15.2

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, punched back to the bowler off the back foot

15.3

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, flight now, he pushes forward with bat in front of pad

15.4

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, lunges forward and smothers a full delivery

15.5

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, low full toss, but Azhar's mind is thinking stumps now, pushed quietly to mid on

15.6

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, defended off the front foot, tight first over for Randiv

16.1

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, inside edge rolls to short leg as he presses forward

16.2

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, bounce down the leg side gives Silva some trouble

16.3

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, huge appeal for lbw, Younis struck on the pad on the forward push, as this one slides in with the angle, hit just outside the line of off, umpire Taufel is spot-on with this one

16.4

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, defended off the front foot

16.5

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, pushed to the bowler

16.6

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, sharp turn from outside off, a surprised Younis jabs it away off the back foot

Randiv round the stumps

17.1

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, pushed down the track off the front foot

17.2

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, length ball defended off the front foot

17.3

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, 86.2 kph fullish one smothered down the track

17.4

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, touch leg-sidish with the line, pushed towards midwicket

17.5

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, touch short. he goes back and tucks with the spin to square leg

17.6

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, this one rears up as it straightens on middle, jabbed away to short leg

18.1

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, pushed through at 83.7 kph, blocked to short leg

18.2

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, pushed off the back foot to short extra cover

18.3

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, inside edge to short leg as he pushes forward

18.4

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, gets bat in front of pad to smother another one

18.5

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, goes back to a tossed up ball and defends it as it straightens, then smiles

18.6

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, defended calmly with an open face to adjust for the turn

19.1

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, goes back to a length ball to block

19.2

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, tossed up and turning in on middle and off, defended with a big forward lunge

Slip, short leg, leg gully, silly point

19.3

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, nudged with the turn, does not carry to leg gully

19.4

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, down the track and pushes back to Randiv

19.5

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, tossed up ball turning in on leg, patted away to short leg

19.6

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, full delivery fired in, dug out to mid on

This is Abhishek Purohit signing off for the day along with our scorer Sanjay Murari. I'll leave you with Sid Ravindran's match report which will be updated soon. Cheers

9.50am Welcome to day three of the final Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The track which was benign on the first day, starting helping the spinners on the second day, from late on in the first session. Sri Lanka have two frontline spinners in their line-up, Suraj Randiv and Rangana Herath, and Pakistan's batsmen need to be at their best if they are to match Sri Lanka's first innings score of 413. Sangakkara insists the track is still batsmen friendly though he also hopes to restrict Pakistan to less than 250.

Welegedara charges in for the first ball of the third day

20.1

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, short of a length and angling across Younis Khan, who leaves it through to the keeper

20.2

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, fuller and closer to off stump, pushed towards the off stump

20.3

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, another leave outside off

Bad news for Sri Lanka is that Dhammika Prasad isn't on the field because of a pulled muscle. Not sure how serious it is yet.

20.4

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, on the stumps and that is tapped back towards the bowler

20.5

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, more watchful defence from Younis

20.6

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, the day begins with a maiden, a length ball outside off is pushed towards cover by Younis, who is still on 0 after 20 deliveries

Nomi from Pakistan thinks his side are going to face a tough day: "Pakistan faces the toughest challenge today in the series so far. Though, heartened by the batting display in the series, I am dreading an all-too-familiar collapse as wicket has started playing tricks and we have lost both the openers already."

21.1

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, Kosala Kulasekara starts with a short of length ball that heads for middle and off, defended down the track

21.2

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, length ball outside off, not too much movement on offer so far today, defended off the front foot towards cover

21.3

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of length outside off, tapped towards cover

21.4

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of length and outside off, more patient defending in front of point

21.5

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, back of a length and outside off, batsman raises the bat over his head as he lets that through to the keeper

21.6

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, another maiden, solid forward defensive to end the over, so Pakistan have scored two runs in their last 10 overs

22.1

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, pitched up and that should have been the delivery Younis got off the mark, he drives it forcefully but can't beat extra cover

22.2

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, well wide of off stump, and that is left alone

22.3

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, superb fielding from Randiv at backward point extends the scoreless streak, Randiv flies to his left to cut off that powerful chop from Younis

22.4

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, pitched up and nicely driven by Younis, straight to mid-off though

22.5

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, outside off, and Younis is happy to leave that to the keeper

Dhammika Prasad will not be available for this innings.

22.6

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, third maiden of the day, length ball outside off, Younis steers it towards gully but again can't get it past the fielder

What an epic

23.1

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of a length outside off, sways out of the way, an attempted bouncer

23.2

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, FOUR, finally, he gets a chance to break free, short and wide and he slaps it between cover and point, the first runs in 52 balls

23.3

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, 1 no ball, oversteps, bangs it in short outside off, was on the line, leaves it be

There are two slips in place

23.3

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, angling in towards the off stump, steps forward and knocks it towards cover

23.4

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, in that channel outside off, bowled short of a good length, holds its line, left alone

23.5

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, nipped away, got some extra bounce, fishing for it is Azhar Ali, needlessly, moved away and just scraped the outside edge

23.6

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, targets a good length on the off, hint of away movement, defended towards cover

24.1

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, full and it's driven back firmly down the pitch, struck it well but found the stumps at the non-striker's end, Welegedera tried to deflect it off his boot but couldn't make contact

24.2

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, pushed back formly towards the bowler again who fields on the follow-through

24.3

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, around a good length on off and middle and appeared to nip back in, got to the pitch and defended with bat close to pad

24.4

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, nipped away this time, good start this by the Sri Lankan bowlers, pitched on off and spat away to beat the outside edge

24.5

Welegedara to Younis Khan, 1 run, Younis gets off the mark, off his 31st delivery, pitched up and it was driven hard, extra cover dived to his right and palmed it wide of mid-off

24.6

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of a good length on the off, knocks it down into the leg side

25.1

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, pushing it full outside off from slightly wide of the crease, shoulders arms to that one

25.2

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, short of a good length, punched towards point from the crease

25.3

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, in the channel outside off and holds its line, tempting driving length but Younis is content to let it go

25.4

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, shaping away after landing in the corridor outside off, leaves it be

25.5

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, 3 runs, Younis manages to squeeze it through the covers, was pitched up, he stretched forward and eased it past that gap for three runs

25.6

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, 2 runs, strays on the pads does Kulasekara this time, on middle and leg, worked past square leg for a brace

26.1

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, just a fraction outside leg stump and he moves across to clip it fine, brushes the pads on the way to the keeper

26.2

Welegedara to Younis Khan, 2 runs, pitched up by Welegedera and Younis leans forward to punch it between point and cover for a couple

Ameen: "Dead Slow run rates. They have brought back the times when we would see 9 out 10 matches drawn with lots of tons." You can't expect too much out of tracks in the UAE

26.3

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, goodish length on the off, gets forward and to drop it back to the bowler

26.4

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, Dilshan does superbly at extra cover, pitched up and Younis plays a forceful drive but Dilshan at extra cover dives full length to his right to stop that one

26.5

Welegedara to Younis Khan, no run, teasing him with an offcutter, drew him forward after pitching it on a length and got it to zip away to just miss the outside edge

26.6

Welegedara to Younis Khan, FOUR, chancy stuff from Younis, short of a good length and he could have well left it alone but he's been kept quiet for a while, chases a wide one and plays it uppishly, guiding it wide of gully

27.1

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, 1 run, angling in towards middle, gets across to play it wide of mid-on for a quick single

27.2

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, in the channel outside off, tight line this time, holds its line and he allows it to go through

27.3

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, a bit more width this time, bowling from wide of the crease, holding its line once again, left alone

Welegedera is doing more off the pitch, but "one gets the feeling" the assistance off the track isn't going to last long

27.4

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, 1 run, pushed off the front foot wide of mid-off

27.5

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, testing him with that off-stump line again, leaves it alone

27.6

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of a good length outside off, mistimes a back-foot drive to cover

Michael Perera: "@Ameen: Aren't those nostalgically known as "the good old days"? Bowlers sleepily trundling in, batsmen languidly tapping a ball and sleepwalking singles, fielders lightly jogging to fetch the ball, and the entire body of spectators catching up on their afternoon nap. Ah, Test cricket."

28.1

Welegedara to Younis Khan, FOUR, Younis is opening up gradually, got a bit od width, it was short as well and he slashed it past the diving point fielder

28.2

Welegedara to Younis Khan, 1 run, he's doing it nicely now, goodish length on middle and off, got across to work it wide of mid-on for a single

There is a short mid-on in place, one slip taken off

28.3

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, FOUR, strays on the pads, was trying to bowl to his field but did a little too much there, was on leg stump and Azhar clips it down to the fine-leg boundary

28.4

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, goodish length outside off, watches it through to the keeper

28.5

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, goodish length on the off, stretches forward and tap it down to point

28.6

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, angling towards off stump, gets forward and defends it solidly to point

29.1

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, shortish on the off, mistimes a punch off the back foot, plays it to cover

29.2

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, good length outside off and moved away, shoulders arms

29.3

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, nipped back in from outside off and Younis got forward to defend, was struck on the pads but outside the line, stifled appeal for lbw turned down

29.4

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, (no ball) 1 run, oversteps again, shortish on middle, worked off the back foot past midwicket for a single, Younis wanted the second but was sent back at the right time

29.4

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of a good length outside off and this one moved away, Azhar pushed at it off the back foot and played it short of gully

29.5

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, 2 runs, found the gap, short and he punched it off the back foot between cover and point for a couple of runs

29.6

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, FOUR, flicked away, angled in from wide of the crease on middle and he worked it away wristily through square leg for a boundary

After a quiet - and that's an understatement - start, things have got a lot more smooth for Pakistan. Herath comes on to bowl now. Has a slip

30.1

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, tossed up on the off, lands full and he drives it back to the bowler

30.2

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, shortish on the off, punched off the back foot towards point, the fielder dives to his right to save the single

30.3

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, looping it on the off stump, gets forward to drop it on the pitch

30.4

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, a bit of a leading edge as he closes the face a touch too early on that one

Also, a short leg in place

30.5

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, flighted on the off and this one goes straight on, gets a thick inside edge past short leg as he comes forward to defend

30.6

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, floating it on the off stump, defends it soundly into the leg side

Andrew: "Something I don't get, Pakistan are batting on an absolute road, against a fairly pop-gun bowling attack (aside from Herath) and the two batsmen are fairly well established, so why don't they pick up the pace? It's good to sey that they can bat for extended periods of time regularly, but batting defensively for the sake of batting defensively is both pointless and unbelievably boring." Things have got better in the last few overs.

Randiv comes on to bowl. Spin from both ends

31.1

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, a bit of turn for the man, turns in from a good length outside off, defended towards cover

The helmet comes off for Azhar

31.2

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, steps out of the crease, takes it off a a length, it was nicely flighted, and he drove it to mid-off, Kosala Kulasekara split his finger trying to stop it

31.3

Randiv to Azhar Ali, 1 run, driven towards a slightly deepish mid-on for a single

31.4

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, floating it outside off, gets a big stride out and defends it to cover

31.5

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, turns in from a good length on the off, defended into the off side

31.6

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, tossed up, lands full on the off, it's driven straight back to the bowler who hurls it back to the keeper

32.1

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, comes round the wicket and loops it on middle and off, defended into the off side

32.2

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, flighted on the off, pushed through the line to mid-off

32.3

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, lands on a length on the off stump, defended with a big stride

32.4

Herath to Azhar Ali, 1 run, using his feet well is Azhar, got out of the crease to get to the pitch and drove it past mid-on for a single

Kulasekara hurt a nail on his thumb, and it's a minor injury

32.5

Herath to Younis Khan, FOUR, nicely done, takes it from outside off and drags it powerfully past square leg for a boundary, the first one off Herath

32.6

Herath to Younis Khan, 1 run, fires in a quick one on leg stump, turned behind square to keep the strike

33.1

Randiv to Younis Khan, FOUR, Younis is looking increasingly confident, with his high-arm action Randiv floats a full delivery and Younis absolutely creamed it past extra cover

33.2

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, flighted on middle, turned away with the spin to midwicket

33.3

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, pitched up outside off, turning in, gets to the pitch and defends on the off side

33.4

Randiv to Younis Khan, 1 run, pushes that one down the ground to long-on for a single

33.5

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, reaches forward to get to the pitch and defends on the off side

33.6

Randiv to Azhar Ali, 1 run, gets front and across and turns that one down in front of long leg for a single

34.1

Herath to Azhar Ali, 1 run, pushed off the front foot past extra cover for a single

34.2

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, flighted on the off, gets on the front foot and knocks it down on the pitch

34.3

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, stifled appeal for lbw, really slow through the air, played for the turn but it went straight on, struck him in line but would have gone down the leg side

34.4

Herath to Younis Khan, 1 run, worked past midwicket for a single

34.5

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, tossed up on the off, gets forward to the pitch and drops it in the off side

34.6

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, Herath isn't getting much turn at all, another straight one on middle and it's defended into the leg side

35.1

Randiv to Younis Khan, 1 run, turned away past square leg for a single

35.2

Randiv to Azhar Ali, 1 run, driven down the ground towards long-on

35.3

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, pitched up on middle, worked towards midwicket, can't quite beat the in-field

35.4

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run

35.5

Randiv to Younis Khan, 1 run, gifts a full toss on middle, slaps it hard towards long-leg, will be disappointed he didn't dispatch that to the moon

35.6

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, Randiv's getting a bit more turn, turns in from outside off, tapped into the leg side

36.1

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, flighted on the off, gets to the pitch and defends it towards cover

36.2

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, tossed up again and Younis goes for the sweep, trying to punish it through square leg, struck on the pads but just marginally outside the line, straightened a hint, big appeal for lbw but I think that struck outside the line

36.3

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, pushed off the front foot into the off side

36.4

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, looping in towards off, gets to the pitch and taps it in front of cover

36.5

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, turned towards short leg, angled in towards leg

36.6

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, turned just a hint there and Younis handled it well, tapping it into the off side

37.1

Randiv to Azhar Ali, 1 run, flighted on the off, driven down the ground to long-on for a single

37.2

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, gets outside the line to get to the pitch and turns it to midwicket

37.3

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, turning in from a good length outside off, closes the face and drops it into the leg side

37.4

Randiv to Younis Khan, 1 run, turns it away past short leg into the deep for one more

37.5

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, gets outside the line and plays it down to short midwicket

37.6

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, shortish on the off and goes straight on this time, punched straight to extra cover

38.1

Herath to Younis Khan, FOUR, Younis goes after that one, tossed up, tempting delivery that is pitched up and he plays it with the turn, smashing it over extra cover for a one bounce four

38.2

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, flighted on the off, pushed off the front foot to extra cover

38.3

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, tossed up on middle, plays it watchfully into the leg side

38.4

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, shortish on middle, waits for it to come on and knocks it away

38.5

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, turned and edged, but played it down and didn't push at it, fell just short of Jayawardene at slip

38.6

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, tweaks that towards middle, plays it back down the pitch

39.1

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, shortish on middle and leg, gets on the back foot and turned to square leg

39.2

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, waits for it to turn in and punches it off the back foot to midwicket

39.3

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, shortish on the off and appears to go straight on, guided wide of slip

39.4

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run

39.5

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, waits for it to turn in and closes the face to play it down to short leg

39.6

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, short of a length, punches it off the back foot to the bowler

40.1

Herath to Younis Khan, 1 run, Younis gets forward and chips it a little uppishly past midwicket for a single

40.2

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, tossed up on the off, reaches forward and drops it towards cover

40.3

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, steps out of his crease and drives it to midwicket

40.4

Herath to Azhar Ali, 1 run, comes down the pitch and pushes it towards long-off for a single

40.5

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, turns away from a good length on the off, played with the turn past slip, played well with soft hands

40.6

Herath to Younis Khan, no run, giving it plenty of air, pushed gently back towards the bowler

41.1

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, turned away to play it towards short leg

Dammika Prasad will not play any part in this match with the ball, we're being told. A blow for Sri Lanka, that. He pulled a muscle

41.2

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, 1 run, fetches it from outside off and paddles it behind square for a single

41.3

Dilshan to Younis Khan, FOUR, seizes the length early does Younis, slaps it hard, it's a short one, past short leg and into the deep to bisect the gap

41.4

Dilshan to Younis Khan, no run, a deepish mid-off in place and that's where this one goes, pitched up and it'd driven to him

41.5

Dilshan to Younis Khan, no run, gets a big stride out and defends it back to the bowler

41.6

Dilshan to Younis Khan, no run, turns in from outside off and he chops it towards point

42.1

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, an attempted carrom ball, landed on a good length on the off, stretched forward and played it down the pitch

42.2

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, came down the track a little too early there but adjusted well to the length as Herath held it back

42.3

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, angling in towards middle, gets forward, to the pitch, and defends it to the leg side

42.4

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, tries to go downtown there, steps out and tries to clear mid-on but the bat turned in his hand there, landed short of the fielder

42.5

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, quicker through the air and went straight on, dropped it towards short leg

42.6

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, worked towards midwicket from the crease

43.1

Dilshan to Younis Khan, 1 run, shortish, chopped past point for a single

43.2

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, pushes him onto the back foot, covers it well, playing it past short leg

43.3

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, gets forward and drives that down the pitch

43.4

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, a bit of turn into the batsman, gets outside the line and defends

43.5

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, no run, closes the face, playing it with the turn past short leg but can't beat the in-field

43.6

Dilshan to Azhar Ali, 1 run, tossed up, driven past the bowler to that deepish mid-on to keep strike

44.1

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, shortish on the off, punched off the back foot into the off side

44.2

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, tossed up on middle, gets a stride out and defends back down the pitch

44.3

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, plays an inside-out drive hard towards extra cover but can't get it through

44.4

Herath to Azhar Ali, no run, plays that short ball a little gently towards extra cover this time

44.5

Herath to Azhar Ali, 1 run, an arm ball on leg stump, tickled past short leg for a single

44.6

Herath to Younis Khan, FOUR, that shot has fetched him some runs today, appearde to be the straighter one, he threaded that one through that gap between square leg and short fine

A short square leg and a short midwicket

45.1

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, turned into the leg side towards that midwicket fielder

45.2

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, shortish outside off, gets forward and taps it behind point

45.3

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, comes down the track and plays it with the turn past midwicket

45.4

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, gets front and across to play it towards midwicket

45.5

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, comes down the track and adapts well to the slight shortish length, pushing it into the off side

45.6

Randiv to Azhar Ali, 1 run, drives it down to long-on for a single

Salman: "Anyone expecting Pak run rate to exceed 3 runs per over is wasting his/her time. Do some simple maths and you'll realise only one team can win from here on. Pak is playing for a draw and will be more than satisfied with 1-0 series victory."

Welegedera is back into the attack for a burst before the lunch break. Minimal turn for Randiv, less so for Herath and it's back to pace now. Two slips

46.1

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, goodish length outside off and he angles it away from the batsman, lets it go

46.2

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, slightly short of a length, punched towards midwicket, a short midwicket more like

46.3

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, FOUR, punished, short and wide, easy pickings, cracked away past point for a boundary

46.4

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, good length on the off stump, gets forward and defends it to cover

Saud: "Looks like Khan read Andrew's mssg. Younis previously was a player who used to hit a lot more shots at start of his innings and settled down later. This approach he has changed recently."

46.5

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, Pitched up and it's driven firmly, but straight to mid-off

46.6

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of a good length on the off, punched towards cover off the back foot

47.1

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, flighted on the off stump, slow through the air, rocks forward and plays it back

47.2

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, smashed into short leg, reached forward, converted it into a full toss and smashed Paranavitana's arm at short leg with a powerful sweep, he couldn't have caught that so it shouldn't go down as a drop, some medical attention being given to him now

47.3

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, turning in from a good length on the off, defended in front of short leg

47.4

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, shortish outside off, chops it towards point from the crease

47.5

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, short of a good length on the off, rocks back and defends it into the off side

47.6

Randiv to Younis Khan, no run, turning in from outside off, defended in front of cover

48.1

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, good length outside off, shaping away and he leaves it alone

48.2

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, good length on middle, gets front and across and plays it wide of midwicket

48.3

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, in that channel outside off, gets forward and shoulders his arms

48.4

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, fullish on middle, gets forward and drives it to midwicket

48.5

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, no run, short of a good length on the off, just a hint of away movement, plays it down towards gully

48.6

Welegedara to Azhar Ali, 1 run, there is a deep point in place, short of a good length and it's cut away to that fielder

49.1

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, shortish on the off, punches it off the back foot to extra cover

There is a short midwicket in place too

49.2

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, angling in towards middle, there is a short leg in place, plays it down to him

49.3

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, rocks back and plays it down into the off side

49.4

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, works it off the front foot towards square leg, there are two close-in fielders on the leg side

49.5

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, came down the track to the pitch and drove him into the leg side but that went to midwicket

49.6

Randiv to Azhar Ali, no run, turning in from a good length on the off, played off the back foot down the pitch