Tharanga and Dilshan walk out. They chased down successfully at the same venue in the quarter-final and semi-final of the World Cup last year. Umar Gul, looking for redemption, has the first new ball in hand. "Jeewan Mendis the highest run getter in domestic series at 9 and Kula at 10.. thats some batting line up!" Daniel Alexander reminds

Welcome back. The series is all set for a tantalising finish. Sri Lanka have 248 to chase - only twice has a bigger score been chased down at Premadasa Stadium. The pitch has changed nature, though, and it's no longer that difficult to chase here. So I don't think conditions are going to ruin this chase. It's simple: Sri Lanka's stronger suit is all set to go up against Pakistan's stronger suit

0.1

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, length ball, outside off, allowed to go through. No swing or seam

0.2

Umar Gul to Tharanga, 1 run, direct hit from Pakistan early on. Short of a length, into the hip, tucked away to square leg. Easily in despite the direct hit

Two slips in

0.3

Umar Gul to Dilshan, 4 leg byes, ordinary delivery. Too straight to start off with, and then seams further in, and it flies off the thigh pad. Already four extras. Sri Lanka conceded eight in the whole innings

0.4

Umar Gul to Dilshan, no run, good comeback. Extra bounce from short of a length, and just outside off. Left alone by Dilshan

0.5

Umar Gul to Dilshan, 2 runs, into the pads again, and helped away fine of deep square

0.6

Umar Gul to Dilshan, 1 run, short of a length, outside off, steered away to third man for one

A wayward start from Gul then

Sohail Tanvir takes the second new ball. Two slips for him

1.1

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, 1 wide, horror start for Tanvir with a big wide down the leg side. SL bowled their first wide in the 19th over

1.1

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, no run, edged and short. Good comeback delivery. Short of a length, on leg, making him play, seaming away, squaring him up, taking the edge, which falls well short of second slip

1.2

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, 1 wide, another wide down the leg side. SL bowled three in the whole innings

1.2

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, no run, another good delivery now. Short of a length, middle and off, seaming away. Left alone

1.3

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, 1 run, leg side again, worked away off the pads for a single

1.4

Sohail Tanvir to Tharanga, no run, length ball outside off, comes forward, lets it be

1.5

Sohail Tanvir to Tharanga, no run, another leave outside off. Watchful start from Tharanga

1.6

Sohail Tanvir to Tharanga, no run, another length ball outside off, another leave

2.1

Umar Gul to Dilshan, 1 run, Mix-up and mess-up. Dilshan pushes towards mid-on, wants a drop and run, Tharanga doesn't. Shafiq charges in, can go at either end, but he doesn't pick it up cleanly

2.2

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, length ball, outside off, allowed to angle away to the keeper

2.3

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, Tharanga pushes outside off, and nearly edges it. Short of a lenght, seaming away, he goes after it, and is beaten. Extravagant swing after passing the stumps. Sarfraz does well to get a hand to it

2.4

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, no adventure this time, leaves it be outside off

2.5

Umar Gul to Tharanga, 1 run, finally gets bat to ball, punching this to square third man for a single

2.6

Umar Gul to Dilshan, 1 run, short of a length, plays the short-arm pull, gets a single to fine leg

"Since 2009, Pakistan have scored 240-plus 23 times in 1st innings - of those matches they Won 16, lost 7. But it includes 6 wins vs Bangladesh (3), Zimbabwe (2), Kenya (1)." Who else but Mazher Arshad?

3.1

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, FOUR, full, middle and leg, angling towards off, plays the classical off drive, between the bowler and mid-off

3.2

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, no run, length ball, pitched outside leg, hits the pad in front of leg

Round the wicket he goes

3.3

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, no run, short of a length, pitched outside off. He drives, playing for the angle. The ball holds its line. Beaten

3.4

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, no run, this one straightens outside off again, left alone again

3.5

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, no run, really wide of the crease, angling in towards his hip, tucks him up

3.6

Sohail Tanvir to Dilshan, OUT, Timber. Tanvir's angle does him in. Or does it? They are checking for the no-ball. They are checking it for the back-foot no-ball. He is well in there, and also with the front foot. So Tanvir can continue celebrating. Top-quality bowling. After getting two to straighten outside off, he bowls one at the almost acute angle. Dilshan falls over when driving, the ball hits the pad, and then canons into the stumps. They nearly snatched that smile away when they went upstairs, but Tanvir was well in on both counts

TM Dilshan b Sohail Tanvir 10 (20m 15b 1x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

Here is Kumar Sangakkara. Has he played himself back into form? Tharanga on strike, though

4.1

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, length ball, outside off, left alone

4.2

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, Huge appeal from Gul. Tharanga follows a length ball outside off, and seems to have been beaten by the angle. Close to the edge, but no touch on it. Only Gul appeals instantaneously, and the rest join him later. Correct call from Reifell

4.3

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, short of a length, outside off, left alone

4.4

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, short of a length, on middle and off, defended with an open face

4.5

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, extra bounce, Tharanga is surprised. Short of a length, 137ks, on off, kicks at him, Tharanga takes the bottom hand off in defence

4.6

Umar Gul to Tharanga, no run, short of a length, middle and leg, defended to leg. 140ks now. Gul hitting his rhythm now

Sanga to face for the first time

5.1

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, length ball, angling in towards off, defended

5.2

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, full outside off, swinging the other way, driven nicely to cover. Sanga's bat making a sweet sound

5.3

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, left alone outside off, the ball swings after passing the stumps, and Sarf must be wondering if he is in Colombo or Cardiff

5.4

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, full, outside off, swinging away, driven to cover

5.5

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, 1 run, short of a length, gives him the width, Sanga goes after it, cuts it uppishly through the vacant gully region. First run in 16 balls

5.6

Sohail Tanvir to Tharanga, OUT, How do you play these? Too good from Tanvir. Slightly slower, 126ks, short of a length, on off, Tharanga plays for the angle, but the ball holds its line, squares him up, beats the edge, and hits the off stump. Cartwheeling goes the off stump

WU Tharanga b Sohail Tanvir 2 (29m 16b 0x4 0x6) SR: 12.50

"Tanvir Akram!" yelps Mazher Arshad

6.1

Umar Gul to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, on off, no room, pushed to cover

6.2

Umar Gul to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, outside off, left alone, bounces in front of the keeper

6.3

Umar Gul to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, pitches leg, heads towards off, defended solidly

6.4

Umar Gul to Sangakkara, no run, no room again, pitching leg, headed towards off, defended to mid-on

6.5

Umar Gul to Sangakkara, 3 runs, Sanga cashes in on the width. A rare wide delivery from Gul, and Sanga cuts it between point and cover-point. Akmal gives chase, dives over the ball, and then drags it in on the third attempt even as he slides towards the rope. First runs off Gul in the last 11 balls

Chandimal to face for the first time

6.6

Umar Gul to Chandimal, no run, length ball, angling in, pushed to square leg

7.1

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, 1 wide, angled too far down leg, called wide

7.1

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, 1 wide, another wide down leg - Pakistan have conceded eight extras already, the same number as Sri Lanka in the whole innings. I suspect this happens when you put in extra effort

7.1

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, widish, left alone

Second slip has moved to gull after that slash in the last over

7.2

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, FOUR, lovely cut. too short, not too wide, but Sangakkara seems to be in form tonight. Gets right on top of it, and cuts it between point and gully

Misbah wants Tanvir to make him play forward. Gully moves to short cover

7.3

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, just outside off, left alone

7.4

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length again, not too wide, left alone again

7.5

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, fuller, outside off, left alone again

7.6

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, just outside off, pushed to cover

8.1

Umar Gul to Chandimal, 2 runs, nice shot. Short of a length, angling in, meets it with a slightly closed face, and times it past mid-on

8.2

Umar Gul to Chandimal, no run, length ball, on off, defended back to him

8.3

Umar Gul to Chandimal, no run, angling in towards off, 137ks, worked to square leg

Fine leg comes up

8.4

Umar Gul to Chandimal, no run, short of a length, 139ks, outside off, hits the sticker on the bat

8.5

Umar Gul to Chandimal, no run, fuller, straighter, Chandimal's bat comes down in time

8.6

Umar Gul to Chandimal, no run, short of a length, just outside off, pushed to cover

9.1

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, 2 runs, worked away square on the on side, square of fine leg

9.2

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, 1 wide, another wide down the leg side

9.2

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, just outside off, pushed to cover

9.3

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, pitched up, outside off, holds its line, left alone

9.4

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, no run, holds its line outside off again, shoulders arms again

9.5

Sohail Tanvir to Sangakkara, 1 run, cut away, Umar Akmal gets it on a half-volley at point, and the fumble allows them a single

Round the stumps

9.6

Sohail Tanvir to Chandimal, 2 runs, short of a length, angling in, worked away past square leg

Mohammad Hafeez introduced ahead of Mohammad Sami. Is Hafeez going down the Afridi way? Becoming a specialist bowler who bats a bit?

10.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, length ball, on off, defended back to him

10.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, 1 run, pitched up, driven down to long-off for one

10.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, flighted on off, turning in a little, defended back to him

10.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, overpitched, driven down to long-on for one

10.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, topspinner, pitches in front of off, hits the inside half of the bat

10.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, on off, hit back to Hafeez

Here is Mohammad Sami

11.1

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, no run, 139ks first ball, length ball, just outside off, defended

11.2

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, no run, half-volley outside off, 144ks, driven straight to cover

11.3

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, no run, full, on off, 145ks, driven to mid-off

No swing so far for Sami

11.4

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, no run, length ball, outside off, 140ks, defended to cover

11.5

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, 1 run, 149.4ks. Full, angling in, gets an inside edge that goes for a single

11.6

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, FOUR, top shot. Length ball, 143ks, no swing, Sanga drives it down the ground, and past a sluggish dive from the fielder at mid-on. Tanvir is the culprit. Misbah shows anger

Round the stumps

12.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, length ball, on the pads, pushed down to long-on

12.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, topspinner, 82ks, defended back to him

12.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, 1 run, full, on the pads, pushed wide of mid-on for one

12.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, muted appeal for lbw, but this pitches on leg, and turns down

12.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, another offbreak, just outside off, 82ks, defended

12.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, shimmies down the track, beaten in the flight, defends it back to him

13.1

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, 145ks, played with an open face to point

13.2

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, no run, length ball, middle and leg, moving towards off, pushed back to him

13.3

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, no run, digs this in short, 141ks, rising towards the chest, fended to point

13.4

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 1 run, short of a length, angling across, runs this down to third man for one

Hafeez goes all the way back to the top of Sami's run, and has a chat with him

13.5

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, 1 run, length ball, angling in, helped away to fine leg

13.6

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, no run, length ball, outside off, angling away, and left alone

14.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, tospinner, pitches leg, angles towards off, defended back

14.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, short of a length, on the pads, helped away for a single

14.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, 1 run, length ball, into the pads of the left-hand batsman now, helped around the corner

14.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, toppie again, 86ks, Chandi plays for the offbreak, ends up playing it back to him

14.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 2 runs, offbreak now, and too straight, and he places it to the left of fine leg, and takes a couple

14.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, flighted on middle and leg, worked away into the leg side

Bowling PP taken. Sami to continue. One wide slip in place

15.1

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, no run, short of a length, outside off, tapped to point

15.2

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, no run, short, wide, but gets big on him, at 144ks, as he tries to cut. Does well to keep it down, though

15.3

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, 1 leg bye, sliding down leg, 144ks, Chandimal misses out, and gets just a leg-bye

15.4

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 1 run, short of a length, on the pads, tucked away for a single

15.5

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, FOUR, Tanvir won't get an EPL contract for sure. This is cut in front of square, Tanvir runs to his right, sticks the right boot out, the ball bounces into the left shin, and goes for four. How long before Misbah starts screaming at these guys?

15.6

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, 1 run, length ball, into the pads, pushed wide of midwicket for one

Time for a drink

Stays round the stumps

16.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, flighted on leg, defended to midwicket

16.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, length ball, middle and leg, defended back to him

16.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, short of a length, on the pads, pushed to long-on for one

16.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, punched to the right of Hafeez, who dives to save one run

16.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, 1 run, flighted on middle and leg, gets a single to long-off now

16.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, toppie, on off, defended back to him

17.1

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 1 run, quick, short of a length, gets a leading edge as he tries to work this to leg, goes for a single to deep point

17.2

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, 1 run, length ball, on off, 144ks, pushed wide of mid-on for one

17.3

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 1 wide, wide down the leg side

17.3

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 2 runs, steered wide of third man, comes back for two, Gul's throw is flat and powerful, but slightly wide

17.4

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 1 run, they are picking on Tanvir everywhere. This is tucked straight to him at short fine, and they steal the single

17.5

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, 1 run, Chandimal has dived into the stumps. Pushed to cover for a quick single, and he rushes through, and slides right into them at the non-striker's end

17.6

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 1 run, If only Pakistan could field. I am amazed the Pakistan bowlers over the last five years have not procured arms and opened fire in public places. Length ball, big drive, healthy edge, to the left of Sarf. He grabs at it, in she goes, out she comes. Sami's hands are on his head, fielding coach shakes his head, Sarf's head is hidden in his glove. Fifty up for the partnership

The batsmen get a drink. If the ICC's technical committee's resolution is ratified, all these unscheduled comfort breaks won't be allowed. It's been two overs since the regulation drinks break

18.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, Has Sarf redeemed himself? Sharp stumping. This offbreak dips on Sanga, turns across his bat, Sarf is really quick with the stumping, but the back foot never leaves the crease or the ground

18.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, length ball, middle and leg, turning towards off, defended back to him

18.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, slower through the air, pitches middle and off, turns away, Sanga pushes at it, and is beaten

18.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, driven on the up, to cover-point

18.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, oh what a ripper. Slower again, dipping, landing in front of middle and leg, Sanga plays a defensive shot, and is beaten by the turn

18.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, 1 run, Another chance gone. Sanga drops and runs. Then stops. Then sees Chandi coming, and goes. Akmal rushes in from point, but fails to pick the ball up

19.1

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 1 run, short, wide, cut away to deep point

19.2

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, FOUR, now they rub it in for Sami. Short of a length, quick, but wide, and he uses all the pace with an open face, placing it wide of point. That will take pressure off Sanga

19.3

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, 2 leg byes, short, into the body, off the thigh it goes fine of short fine

19.4

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, 1 run, short of a length, outside off, runs it down to third man for one

19.5

Mohammad Sami to Sangakkara, 1 run, length ball, outside off, pushed to sweeper-cover for one

19.6

Mohammad Sami to Chandimal, no run, length ball outside off, pushed to short cover

Twenty-seven off the Powerplay

"Can you drop Sanga and go on to win matches?" Daniel Alexander, the answer two days ago was a big resounding NO. Seriously, I am amazed where these bowlers find the heart to keep on bowling. I would have left it all, and withdrawn to the hills, had I been in their place. Anyway, here is Afridi. Don;t know why he is on after that testing over from Hafeez. Formula captaincy from Misbah. Afridi goes round the stumps

20.1

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, 1 run, short of a length, turning in, pushed to long-on for one

Over the wicket to the right-hand batsman

20.2

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, no run, flighted on off, 87ks, defended back

20.3

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, short of a length, helped away off the pads

20.4

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, no run, flatter, quicker, beats the outside edge with no turn

20.5

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, no run, regulation legbreak, pushed to square leg

20.6

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, no run, looks to run this down, but Akmal is alert at short third

Hafeez gets a change of ends. Round the stumps again

21.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, flighted on off, runs off the thick edge towards point

21.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, flighted outside off, solidly driven down to long-off

21.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, quick, pushed to midwicket

21.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, length ball, outside off, quicker one, beats the cut. Should have played forward

21.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, slower through the air, on off, no turn, defended with an open face

21.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, length ball, on off, pushed back to Hafeez

Another unscheduled break. Sanga gets a new bat

22.1

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, no run, looks to cut Afridi. Length ball, 97ks, gets a bottom edge

22.2

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, full, outside off, driven to long-off

22.3

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, no run, big big legbreak. Sanga is looking to cut this, and this one cramps him up. Bottom edge again

22.4

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, no run, fuller legbreak, pushed to straight midwicket

22.5

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, 2 runs, it's Sami's turn now. The straighter one from Afridi, off the outside half of the bat, Sami misjudges at short third man, and allows a couple. Waqar Younis sums it up, "If you are a Pakistan, close your eyes on this replay."

22.6

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, 1 run, full, middle and leg, lapped fine by Sanga

Asking rate has reached a run a ball

23.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, length ball, outside off, pushed to cover

23.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, no run, short of a length, outside off, punched to straight extra cover

23.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, 1 run, slower through the air, turns sharply, gets the edge, and they sneak in a single to Tanvir at short third man

23.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, angling away after pitching on off, gets a single to wide of point

23.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Sangakkara, 1 run, overpitched on the pads, worked away for a single into the leg side

23.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, length ball, on the pads, worked away for a single

"6 wides, one drop, one missed run out and at least 7 runs given away through loose fielding. Maybe Pakistan are just gluttons for punishment and want to make it harder for themselves?" GK, for not killing their fielders, a Pakistani bowler should be given the Nobel for peace every year

24.1

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, slider, middle and off, driven to long-on for one

24.2

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, 1 run, runs down to short third and steals another single. It's Sami again

24.3

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, legbreak, driven from outside off, to sweeper-cover

24.4

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, FOUR, gives him the charge, takes this on the full, and places it wide of midwicket for a four. Ominous signs for Pakistan

24.5

Shahid Afridi to Sangakkara, OUT, the topspin off Sanga's bat has got him here. He looks to drop and run, the ball bounces on the pitch, and to the left of Sarfraz as opposed to going down the wicket. Sarfraz has redeemed himself with a sharp one-handed collection, and the run-out. Sanga had taken only two steps down the wicket

KC Sangakkara st †Sarfraz Ahmed b Shahid Afridi 40 (91m 68b 3x4 0x6) SR: 58.82

Time for Pakistan to regroup. That's a big breakthrough. In comes Mahela Jayawardene

24.6

Shahid Afridi to Jayawardene, OUT, Afridi is standing with his chest jutting out and arms in the air, the rest of the fielders are all over him, and the crowd is stunned. Softest of dismissals. Flighted on off, Mahela looks to defend this, but returns a soft lob to Afridi

DPMD Jayawardene c & b Shahid Afridi 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Angelo Mathews is the new batsman in, but Chandimal is on strike. Misbah ahs called Gul back. In for the kill. Blood is being smelled

25.1

Umar Gul to Chandimal, no run, length ball, middle and leg, defended back to him

25.2

Umar Gul to Chandimal, 1 leg bye, short of a length, into the pads, takes a leg-bye

25.3

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, short of a length, outside off, defended back to him

Official scorers seem to have ruled Sanga out as stumped. He was clearly attempting a single, and should be run out. Anyway, if the official scorers have done so, Afridi will be on a hat-trick at the start of the next over

25.4

Umar Gul to Mathews, 1 run, short of a length, into the pads, and Mathews is off the mark with a clip

25.5

Umar Gul to Chandimal, no run, length ball, on off, 136ks, defended to cover

25.6

Umar Gul to Chandimal, 1 run, short of a length, worked away for another single

According to me, he is not, but Afridi seems to be on a hat-trick here. The giant screen at the ground says "on a hat-trick" too. Buit clearly Sanga was trying a single and sent back. He should be ruled run out. A wide slip in

26.1

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, no run, length ball, middle and leg, defended back to him

26.2

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, no run, length ball, defended to straight midwicket

26.3

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, no run, flighted on off, defended back to him

26.4

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, length ball, on the pad, worked away for a single

26.5

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, flighted on off, defended off the front foot

26.6

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, full and quick, on the pads, and through the legs of midwicket. It's substitute Abdur Rehman now

Shantanu: "Sending Angelo Mathews ahead of Lahiru Thirimanne is a tactical error. Thirimanne has proved his ability to pull SL out of bad situations, but he lacks the ability to strike the ball as well as Mathews or Perera."

27.1

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, length ball, holding its line outside off, left alone

A slip in for Gul too

27.2

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, length ball, on off, defended to cover

27.3

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, bouncer, 139ks, Mathews wants to pull, but pulls out of the shot at the last moment

27.4

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, another bouncer, sharper and higher now, 138ks, and Mathews sways out. Called one for the over. Misbah applauds

27.5

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, short of a length, 140ks, heavy ball too, hits the sticker of the bat

27.6

Umar Gul to Mathews, 1 run, short of a length, gets big on him again, sliced through the vacant gully region

Asking rate past 6.5 an over now

28.1

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, full, outside off, defended

28.2

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, slower, slightly shorter, straightens after pitching in front of leg, hits the pad

28.3

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, full, on the pads, hit back to him

28.4

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, flighted, 84ks, middle and off, another block

28.5

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, full, 89ks, driven to long-on for one

This is Chandimal's best ODi score at home

28.6

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, no run, slower, 86ks, turns off a length, stops at him too. Defended towards cover

Asking rate jumping with every dot ball. It has gone from 6.59 at the start of the last over to 6.85

29.1

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, Mathews comes down the track, Gul stays short of a length, a defensive shot ensues

29.2

Umar Gul to Mathews, 1 run, short of a length again, punched to sweeper-cover for one

29.3

Umar Gul to Chandimal, 1 run, not an easy catch, but a drop nonetheless. Pulled away, but for some reason Azhar Ali was a few yards from the rope, and had to backtrack. Had he been on the fence, this was a comfortable, chest-high catch. Now he is off balance, and it hits the hands rather than the hands accepting it

29.4

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, length ball, on off, defended to cover

29.5

Umar Gul to Mathews, FOUR, another bouncer from Gul, but this one is rather tame, and Mathews has swiped this in front of square, and through deep midwicket for four

29.6

Umar Gul to Mathews, no run, punched nicely, straight to short extra cover, though

30.1

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, FOUR, turn, edge and through. I have been wondering why the lone slip is wide. This is a superb legbreak, on a length, on off, turns sharply away, and the edge goes between the keeper and slip. A regulation first slip would have swallowed it. Akmal is the man

Hafeez replaces Akmal at slip now

30.2

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, driven to long-on for one

30.3

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, soft hands, and they steal a single to short cover

Better sense has prevailed, and Sanga has been ruled run out, but what if Afridi had taken that third wicket? Chaos

30.4

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, no run, length ball, on leg, defended back to him

30.5

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 2 runs, short and wide, cut in front of sweeper-cover for two

30.6

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, short of a length, placed wide of point for a single

Final drinks break of the night

This game is not over by a long way. Pakistan need wickets. With their fielding and recent brittleness in the mind, you can't count Sri Lanka just as yet. Things happen inside the Powerplay. Anyway, Sami is back. Should have had Sanga with the last ball of his first spell. Should have gone for two boundaries fewer too. Oh hang on. The Powerplay is taken. And the ball has been handed over to Hafeez. Interesting move by SL. Going for the PP with wickets still in hand. Round the stumps

31.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, length ball, offbreak, placed wide of midwicket for one

31.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Mathews, 1 run, length ball on the pads again, helped away for another single

31.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, no run, topspinner, worked straight to midwicket this time, and is sent back

31.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, short now, and pulled away to fine leg for one

Now they seem to have changed their mind again, and ruled Sanga out stumped

31.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Mathews, 1 run, short of a length, middle and leg, punched down to long-on

31.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, 1 run, flighted on middle and leg, driven to long-on for one

Afridi continues into the PP. So Misbah trusting his spinners more with the field up

32.1

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, flighted, middle and leg, gets a single to long-on

32.2

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, quicker one, short of a length, worked away for a single

32.3

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 2 runs, full, middle and leg, slog-swept, the mis-hit gets him a couple

32.4

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run, fifty for Chandimal, his first in a home ODI. Full, on the pads, clipped away

32.5

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, short of a length, drops and runs, cover is on his heels

32.6

Shahid Afridi to Chandimal, FOUR, Unorthodox but effective. Backs away, gets a short ball, and flat-bats it between mid-off and extra cover. This game is dead even

Pakistan will have to get their act right now, both in the field and with the ball

33.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Mathews, 1 run, topspinner, pitched outside leg, worked around the corner for one

33.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Chandimal, OUT, Chandimal has thrown it away. He has worked hard so far, but he has now gone to one of the three men in the deep. You would expect him to go to unpopulated areas in the Powerplay. Dances down the track, lofts this towards long-on, where Sami slides to high right to take the catch

LD Chandimal c Mohammad Sami b Mohammad Hafeez 54 (122m 74b 4x4 0x6) SR: 72.97

Josephian Mafia is together now. Here is T Perera but at the non-striker's end

33.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Mathews, 1 run, topspinner, squares him up, goes for the tip-and-run, and makes it

33.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Perera, no run, offbreak, middle and off, straightening, defended back to him

33.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Perera, no run, full, on off, drilled to mid-off

33.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Perera, 1 leg bye, the toppie again, hits him outside the line of leg, and goes for a leg-bye

Tanvir comes back now. Asking rate 6.93. Square leg, midwicket and long-on are outside the circle

34.1

Sohail Tanvir to Perera, no run, short of a length, angling in, defended to cover

34.2

Sohail Tanvir to Perera, 1 wide, short, down the leg side, Sarf dives full-length, but it's a wide nonetheless

34.2

Sohail Tanvir to Perera, OUT, Stop the press. Pakistan have another run-out. It's Farhat who is on fire. Full, drilled straight to mid-off, and Perera sets off for the non-single. It was Parera's call, but there was no single available there. Sent back. Farhat has the presence of mind to go to the striker's end, and the throw is accurate too. Sarfraz runs in sharply too, and collects the throw without a mistake, and gets his man

NLTC Perera run out 0 (7m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

"Hope Misbah uses Hafeez instead of Ajmal during the PP overs in the future..." You can say that again, Eliya Abbas.

Lahiru Thirimanne is the new batsman

34.3

Sohail Tanvir to Thirimanne, no run, short of a length, extra bounce, even though the pace is just 130ks, and it beats the cut

34.4

Sohail Tanvir to Thirimanne, no run, slightly slower, on off, defended to cover

34.5

Sohail Tanvir to Thirimanne, no run, short of a length, no room, defended back

Asking rate well past seven now

34.6

Sohail Tanvir to Thirimanne, no run, length ball, into the pads, played straight to short midwicket

35.1

Mohammad Hafeez to Mathews, no run, reverse-sweep, off the middle of the bat, but straight to short third man

35.2

Mohammad Hafeez to Mathews, no run, topspinner, hits the outside half of the bat, back to him

35.3

Mohammad Hafeez to Mathews, FOUR, that's a reverse-swipe. Full, on the pads, and he has lofted this over point. Extraordinary shot

35.4

Mohammad Hafeez to Mathews, 1 run, short of a length, on middle and leg, worked away for one

35.5

Mohammad Hafeez to Thirimanne, no run, it has hit the stumps, and the bails haven't come off. Good presence of mind from Sarfraz. Thirimanne backs away to try and smash this, gets the bottom edge into the pitch, Sarfraz lets it bounce a second time, and the ball topspins into the stumps. The stump moves back a couple of inches, but the bail doesn't move from its groove

35.6

Mohammad Hafeez to Thirimanne, 1 run, hit down the ground for a single

Hafeez finishes an important spell: 10-0-30-1. Do we have another Afridi on our hands? An allrounder converting into a specialist bowler who bats now and then

Speaking of Afridi, he is back

36.1

Shahid Afridi to Thirimanne, no run, legbreak, on off, pushed to point

25 for 2 from the Powerplay

36.2

Shahid Afridi to Thirimanne, 1 run, driven to sweeper-cover for one. This was an offbreak

36.3

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, flighted on off, pushed to cover

36.4

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, full, driven wide of long-on, and Sami is brilliant with his charge, one-handed pick-up and throw

36.5

Shahid Afridi to Thirimanne, no run, What is up with the bails? Sarfraz has flicked this into the stumps, and it doesn't come off. This was almost a repeat of the Sanga dismissal. He wanted to drop and run, Sarfraz was alert, and flicked back blind. The stump gave, and again didn't come off

36.6

Shahid Afridi to Thirimanne, 2 wides, wide down the leg side, and past Sarfraz

36.6

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, worked wide of short fine leg for a single

Are the stumps erected too loose, which results in the give and not the dislodging of the bail because of that?

Sami is back now

37.1

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 2 runs, looking to pull, but too quick for him, and he ends up lobbing this over the bowler's head

Remember, Sri Lanka have a long batting line-up. J Mendis has been piling on runs in domestic competitions

37.2

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, no run, length ball outside off, driven nicely, to cover

37.3

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, no run, another length ball, hitting the top half of the bat, defended to cover

37.4

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, no run, beaten for pace. Short and wide, he is late into it. A bit of premeditation too. He was going down the ground with this

37.5

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 1 run, full and wide,d riven to sweeper-cover for one

The towels are out. More for sweat, I think, than dew

37.6

Mohammad Sami to Thirimanne, 1 run, full and straight, 144ks, driven down to long-on for one

38.1

Shahid Afridi to Thirimanne, no run, length ball, outside off, turning in, defended back to him

38.2

Shahid Afridi to Thirimanne, 1 run, slower through the air, pushed wide of cover for one

38.3

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, low full toss, driven down to long-on for one

Asking rate has crossed eight. Not unheard of

38.4

Shahid Afridi to Thirimanne, 1 run, offbreak, pitched on off, straightening, punched down to long-on for one

38.5

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, fired into the pad, 101ks, no room as he backs away. Can't be wided either

38.6

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, tossed up on middle and leg, driven to long-on for one

39.1

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 2 runs, short and wide, cut wide of third man for two. Farhat does well to run to his right and field

39.2

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 1 run, length ball, driven to sweeper-cover for one

39.3

Mohammad Sami to Thirimanne, FOUR, nice shot. Thirimanne plays the upper-cut well. This is short, chest-high, and wide. And he goes over point. Two bounces into the fence

39.4

Mohammad Sami to Thirimanne, 1 run, short and straight, tucked away off the hip for one

39.5

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, SIX, Premeditated, but he has used all of Sami's pace to his own advantage. He was down on the knee early, got under a length ball, and scooped it over short fine leg. It was bowled at 141ks

Asking rate back under eight

39.6

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 1 run, full and fast, steals a single to cover

We are into the last 10 overs of the series, and this game is alive and kicking. Sri Lanka have been mentally stronger, and this is now coming down to mental strength. Afridi to rush through his last over now

40.1

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 wide, a wide fired down leg, and Sarf does well to get a pad to it

40.1

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, defended to cover-point, and Mathews has to dive back after taking two instinctive steps down the wicket

40.2

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, no run, googly outside off, hits the inside half of Mathews's bat

40.3

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, 1 run, full, driven to long-on for one

40.4

Shahid Afridi to Thirimanne, 1 run, short of a length, calmly played to deep cover

40.5

Shahid Afridi to Mathews, OUT, full, on the pads, and it's Sri Lanka who have blinked first. It's Sami's third straight inspirational piece of work in the field. Pushed to midwicket, Mathews wants one, Thiri is late to start, and Sami unleashes a flat throw, on the bounce, right by the stumps. Sarfraz doesn't have to do much, and they beat Thiri's dive

HDRL Thirimanne run out 11 (27m 16b 1x4 0x6) SR: 68.75

Must say that Pakistan have turned it around in the field

A slip in for J Mendis

40.6

Shahid Afridi to Mendis, 1 run, flighted outside off, driven to long-off for a single

Mathews, ever the nearly man, remains the key. Here is Tanvir now

41.1

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, no run, slower offcutter, too good for Mendis. Doesn't pick it. Beaten outside off

41.2

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, 1 run, short, 127ks, pulled away to deep square for one

Round the stumps

41.3

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 1 run, slower ball, short, into the chest, drops it wide of point for one

41.4

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, no run, low full toss, driven straight to mid-off

41.5

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, no run, slower ball, 107ks, short of a length, punched straight to extra cover

41.6

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, no run, short of a length, cut straight to point, sent back. Afridi misses with the throw

Three overs each for Sami and Tanvir. Two for Gul. I think they'll target Sami. And Misbah is delaying the reintroduction of Sami. Here's Gul

42.1

Umar Gul to Mathews, 2 runs, slower ball, 117ks, and Sami misfields at square leg. Through the legs. Mixed bag for Sami in the field. That allows them two when there might not have been one

42.2

Umar Gul to Mathews, 1 run, length ball, middle and leg, drives inside-out for a single to long-off

"SL are not done till Mathews is there, ask Richie Benaud," says Daniel Alexander

42.3

Umar Gul to Mendis, 1 run, length ball, drilled to mid-off, gets the single

42.4

Umar Gul to Mathews, FOUR, short-arm jab. Slower short ball, he pulls/jabs it wide of square leg. Nicely timed, using Gul's pace

42.5

Umar Gul to Mathews, 2 runs, low full toss, driven right of long-off, comes back for two. Direct hit at the striker's end, but Mathews is well in

Camera pans to Ajmal in the dugout. His replacement, Sami, has three overs to bowl. Sami has had a catch dropped off his bowling, has misfielded twice himself, but has taken a good catch and a run-out. Mixed day. He has also gone for the only six of the innings. Three overs between being hero and villain

42.6

Umar Gul to Mathews, 1 run, length ball, driven to long-off, reaches his fifty. Still has work to do

Mathews on strike again. Tanvir to bowl round the stumps

43.1

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, no run, lovely yorker at that angle, 130ks, pushed back to him

43.2

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 1 run, another run-out missed. Short of a length, hit straight to square leg, Mendis calls him for one, but Azhar misses the stumps at non-striker's end. He was a goner had he hit

43.3

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, no run, bouncer now, Mendis ducks under it, and looks for the wide call. But this one is right over the stumps. Called one for the over

43.4

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, 1 wide, slower ball gone wrong, wide down the leg side - that's 20 extras, 12 more than what SL conceded

43.4

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, no run, lovely yorker, 132.4ks, can't do anything with it. Just outside off

43.5

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, no run, short of a length, 132ks, short-arm pulled, but straight to midwicket

Asking rate crosses nine for the first time

43.6

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, SIX, he has picked the slower ball. I don't know if this was a guess or he saw it from the hand, but Mendis has creamed it, absolutely creamed it. A length ball, angling in, and he has lofted it over long-on

Still no Sami. Misbah is leaving him 46, 48 and 50. Not sure how smart is that. Not because Sami is not good, but because you don't want to put all eggs in that basket

44.1

Umar Gul to Mathews, 1 run, full, outside off, driven to long-off. Akmal fumbles but they take just the one

Or is it that Misbah doesn't trust Gul under pressure?

44.2

Umar Gul to Mendis, FOUR, length ball, on the pads, and Mendis is pulling off a surprise for Pakistan. He is the leading run-getter in domestic cricket. He lofts this length ball over midwicket. Short-arm jab again

Round the wicket now

44.3

Umar Gul to Mendis, 1 run, gets inside the line of a yorker, picks a single

44.4

Umar Gul to Mathews, 1 run, When will Pakistan hit the stumps? Full toss, hit straight to Misbah at extra cover, and Misbah misses. He was gone had he hit

44.5

Umar Gul to Mendis, no run, bouncer, angling down, Mendis looks for a wide on both counts: height and line. Not given either way. Touch and go either way

44.6

Umar Gul to Mendis, FOUR, poor delivery. Full, on the pads, angled in, and helped away for four

Down to Sami now. SL need 40 off last five. Pakistan scored 22 from here on. Huge conference going on. Afridi, Sami, Tanvir and Misbah are participating. Misbah has no choice but to bowl Sami 46, 48, 50. Misbah seems to be surprised a touch. He seems to have miscalculated a touch. Right, down to Sami now

45.1

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 1 run, full, outside off, drilled to sweeper-cover for one

They ridicule him a lot everywhere, but can Sami silence them tonight? He has made a superb comeback

45.2

Mohammad Sami to Mendis, no run, lovely shot, driven on the up, but he finds extra cover. Sami lucky to get away with a length ball wide outside off

45.3

Mohammad Sami to Mendis, no run, beaten for pace there. A wide length ball again, but he is slightly late, and misses

Mid-off is up

45.4

Mohammad Sami to Mendis, 1 run, full and straight, 146ks, concedes a single to midwicket

Can Sami finish this over well? How fascinating it is to follow his comeback

45.5

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 1 run, length ball, middle and leg, 146ks, hitting the bat hard, a single to long-on

45.6

Mohammad Sami to Mendis, no run, full toss, thigh-high, 147ks, surprises him, and he drops it towards cover-point. Top over. One poor ball, but other wise, full and straight

Tanvir to bowl his ninth over now. another tight over will put Pakistan's noses ahead. Dead even right now. Remember, SL can't lose the series now. So that's slight extra pressure on Pakistan. Tanvir goes round the stumps

46.1

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 1 run, Mathews backs away, Tanvir bowls a wide low full toss. Mathews slices it square, Hafeez makes a diving save at point. There was no back-up behind him

Over the wicket to Mendis. Mid-off is up

46.2

Sohail Tanvir to Mendis, OUT, Tanvir strikes at a crucial time again. And we are checking it for a no-ball again. They just don;t trust their eyes with Tanvir. Backs away, Tanvir digs it in short, Mendis toe-ends it, in the air, to extra cover. It nearly slips out of Shafiq's hand, but he holds on, using his chin to balance the ball

BMAJ Mendis c Asad Shafiq b Sohail Tanvir 19 (34m 20b 2x4 1x6) SR: 95.00

46.3

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 2 runs, driven wide of long-off for two

Round the wicket

46.4

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 1 run, short of a length, angling in, drops and runs, gets a single

Kulasekara is not a bad No. 10. Here he is. Field edges closer

46.5

Sohail Tanvir to Kulasekara, 1 run, short, into the body, pulled to square leg for one

46.6

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 1 run, full, angling in, driven inside-out to long-off for one

Last three overs now. Is Mathews iron man or nearly man? He has shown shades of both in the past. What has Sami got for us? He'll love a wicket to silence his detractors

47.1

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 2 runs, full, on off, 135ks, driven wide of long-off, and they come back for two. weak throw from Hafeez

Third man is up

47.2

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 1 run, Misbah can't find the stumps again. Near yorker, hit to extra cover, and he was gone if he had hit

47.3

Mohammad Sami to Kulasekara, FOUR, unfortunate for Sami. swinging delivery, fast too, but a foll toss. He has done in Kula in for the pace, but he gets an outside edge that goes fine for four

Misbah pats Sami's back

47.4

Mohammad Sami to Kulasekara, 1 run, short of a length, on off, punched down to long-off for one

47.5

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 1 run, short of a length, Mathews backs away, opens the face in front of stumps, makes good connection, but can't beat short third man

Nine off the over so far

47.6

Mohammad Sami to Kulasekara, 1 run, misses the yorker by a few inches, Kula drives well, gets a single to sweeper-cover

Tanvir to bowl the 49th over. Close matches are usually won and lost in penultimate overs. And Pakistan have a good man to bowl it. Tanvir to bowl round the stumps

48.1

Sohail Tanvir to Kulasekara, 1 run, picks the slower ball, drills it down to long-off, Akmal is good at long-off

48.2

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 1 run, length ball, that was the ball to go after, but Mathews mis-hits it to long-off for another single

48.3

Sohail Tanvir to Kulasekara, 1 run, near yorker, short by a few inches, dug out to long-on for another single

48.4

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 1 leg bye, short of a length, Mathews gets inside the line, misses, takes the leg-bye

48.5

Sohail Tanvir to Kulasekara, 1 run, Farhat is good again. Half-volley, thrashed towards long-on, Farhat collects it on the half-volley on the second bounce. Keeps them down to one

48.6

Sohail Tanvir to Mathews, 1 run, full toss, Mathews loses his shape, gets a single to extra cover

Top over from Tanvir, even though Mathews retains strike

Sami v Mathews. I had a feeling it would come down to this. Sami will not bowl many slower bowls here. Either full and straight, or fast bouncers

49.1

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 1 wide, Cat and mouse. Sami sees him back away, follows him, and Mathews gets inside the line. Wide down the leg side

49.1

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 2 runs, Another run-out missed. Low full toss, follows him as he backs away, hit to long-on, takes the risky second, Akmal goes for the striker's end, but the throw is wide. There was a run-out available at each end, but he goes for the longer throw and misses, allowing Mathews make it

Twelve off five now. Still between Sami and Mathews

49.2

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, SIX, Mathews it is. Mathews has turned it around. Sami bowls an ordinary delivery. Length ball, outside off, Mathews gets under it, and lofts it over long-on. Bowled cross seam, and gives him the length to get under

49.3

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, 2 runs, short of a length, short-arm jabbed wide of deep midwicket, and he comes back for two. Mathews is panting, bent on his bat, but he has put SL in the driver's seat. Another poor throw. Well wide

Another conference. Hafeez and Tanvir join Misbah and Sami

49.4

Mohammad Sami to Mathews, FOUR, Mathews has done it. Tonight he is the iron man. Short of a length, on off, and he punches this over point. Mathews has won them the series, and he is running all over the place with the bat held in the air

Mahela goes off to collect the trophy. With Sri Lanka jubilant, and Pakistan disappointed, we take your leave, hoping for an equally tight Test series. Cheers

"It was a great game," says Mahela Jayawardene. "The whole series was fantastic. We had to dig deep at times, and today was no different. Big call to play Mendis today. Bowled beautifully, fielded magnificently, we knew he could bat too. We just need to focus on little things like we did in the one-dayers."

Thisara Perera is the man of the Series

"The way Mathews played he took the game away from us," says Misbah-ul-Haq. "We were 15-20 short. They bowled well at the end. Again, the fielding let us down. They really gave us tough time, especially Angelo. Mendis played very well too. We have to forget this and improve our performance in the Tests."

Finally we have identified the Man of the Match. Step forward Angelo Mathews. He says, "I haven't had the opportunity to bat since the first game, but I was ready. I am glad I did it today in front of an amazing crowd."

Tony Greig presides over the presentation. This is a long process, is the presentation. He should be paid a bonus for this

Oh the crowd is all over the field. That's from the good old days. And like the good old days, both the sides have been slow with their overs. I am expecting hefty fines. I think the crowd invasion has delayed the presentation

Welcome back. What a thriller this has been. And what difference calmness and mental strength make in this game. Sri Lanka were stronger, they believed they would win if they saw this match through to its end. On the other hand, Pakistan panicked the other day, and didn't even take it to the end. Man of the moment is Angelo Mathews. He likes to take matches into the last over. Sometime he loses out, sometimes he wins, but you can rest assured he keeps them alive. You can like him, you can dislike him, but he backs himself to do it. Tonight he was the last man standing

Sri Lanka's narrowest win over Pakistan. Shows how the balance of mental strength is shifting. It's been four minutes since they won, but you can't wipe that smile off Mathews's face. Mahela and Sanga rush onto the field too. Hugs all around. Sri Lankan flags all around. Misbah and Pakistan are crestfallen: two catches dropped, numerous run-outs missed, numerous misfields, 22 extras. Spare a thought for Sami: should have had Sanga when he was bowling a good first spell, brought them back with a catch and a run-out, but ends up with the most expensive figures by a Pakistani in Sri Lanka. Osman Samiudding summed it up last week in The National: "If Pakistanis were Greeks, they would have already written a tragedy based on the life and times of Mohammad Sami."