The openers walk out. O boy. Almost missed this. Dilhara Fernando is back too. Business is about to pick up. Sami and Dilhara in the same Test. Fans of imperfect fast bowlers must be salivating. Anyway Nuwan Kulasekara has the new ball in hand. Hafeez on strike. Two slips, a gully, a short leg in

This is the seventh straight toss Sri Lanka have won. And let me tell you, Pakistan are fighting history here. For about nine years leading up to Murali's retirement, Sri Lanka didn't lose a single home Test after winning the toss. Since then, though, they have lost two: to India and England at P Sara Oval. On a side note, is that why the most sporting wicket in Sri Lanka, the one at P Sara, didn't get a Test this series? And with that conspiracy theory aired, let's get ready for the start

9.50am The pitch has a fair sprinkling of green. Live grass too. The surface is firm too. Pakistan will be tested in the first session. The openers - opening together for the 18th Test in a row, a Pakistan record - have their work cut out. First ball in 10 minutes

9.40am Quite an eventful toss. Mixed feelings all around. Thoughts go out to Dilshan who has to be with his unwell kids. He was pretty disturbed during the previous Test too. Excited about Sami's comeback. Chandimal must be thrilled too

Sri Lanka have won the toss again. Mahela Jayawardene has decided to bowl again. Says the wicket has been under cover for three days, and accepts some life. The signs are clear: Sri Lanka are going for 2-0 and not 1-0. Unfortunate news: TM Dilshan's kids are not well, and he has asked for a leave. Dinesh Chandimal has replaced him. MJ says, "A greet opportunity for him."

Pakistan, who were also hoping to get a bowl first, have overhauled their attack. They have left out Abdur Rehman for an extra quick, and have also excluded Aizaz Cheema. Which means both Umar Gul and, drum roll please, Mohammad Sami are in. Never a dull moment watching Sami bowl. And don't throw his stats in my face, please.

9.20am Brighter news. It has stopped drizzling, and the covers are coming off. Not sure yet if the toss has been delayed

9.10am Pallekele is on a hat-trick. It has hosted two Tests so far, both drawn thanks to rain. Hoping for better, even as it drizzles there, I welcome you to the start of the third and final Test. Sri Lanka are looking for their first series in a while, Pakistan looking to avoid their first in a while. Sri Lanka lead 1-0, this being the final Test. Toss in 20 minutes

0.1

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, first ball swings in, but too early and too far down leg

0.2

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, 2 runs, length ball outside off, nicely behind it before opening the face, gets a couple wide of gully

0.3

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, big inswinger, too big for Kula's liking, and this is clearly headed down leg as it swings past the inside edge

0.4

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, another inswinger too big, another delivery headed down leg

0.5

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, finally gets one right, swinging in towards off stump, nicely defended back to him

0.6

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, short of a length, holds its line outside off, nicely placed wide of cover for one

Sri Lanka won the last Test this man played in. And it was their first-ever Test win in South Africa. Here is Dilhara Fernando. Oh no. Mahela has decided to surprise us. He has chosen Thisara Perera ahead of Fernando with the new ball. Baffling really. Three slips and a short leg for Perera

1.1

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, and Perera starts with a jaffa. Presents the seam, hits a length just outside off, and seams away. Hafeez can only hope he misses it. Beaten

1.2

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, FOUR, Hafeez has come out positive today. The only two wide deliveries last over went for runs, and he went after this full and wide delivery. Calculated risk. Didn't hold back at all. The thick edge clears point with ease

1.3

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, 2 runs, too straight, and Hafeez picks this off his pads, cashing in on every scoring opportunity so far. Gets a couple

1.4

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, FOUR, Hafeez is not going to let these military medium bowlers settle down. Short of a length, wide, and punched in front of square, along the ground, and gets four more

1.5

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, short and wide, and this time Hafeez lets one go

1.6

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, this one moves in from short of a length, and is kept out by Hafeez

"The last time Pakistan went with 3 specialist fast bowlers with more than 15 matches was against England in Lords 2010" Thanks Anil Katwal for that bit. Taufeeq Umar to face for the first time. And the keeper is already up to the stumps. So much for a fast bowlers' wicket

2.1

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

While I understand this is being done to keep Umar from walking down to counter swing, but the sight of a keeper up to the stumps in the first 10 minutes of a Test after you have won the toss and elected to bowl is plain wrong

2.2

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, length ball again, Taufeeq defends, gets a thick inside edge for a single

The keeper is back now

2.3

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, short and wide, but seaming in, and cramps him on the cut

2.4

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, gets this one to holds its line outside off, and Hafeez lets it be

2.5

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, big inswinger, headed for off and middle, beats the bat, hits the pad, Kula thinks he in with a shout, but the big stride has got his pad outside the line

2.6

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, this is the other one, holding its line outside off, beats the bat, and bounces well in front of Prasanna

3.1

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, length ball outside off, seaming away, left alone

Perera might go on and take a hat-trick here, but I can't understand having Dilhara in the side, but not using him with the new ball

3.2

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, closer to the stumps, defended off the front foot

3.3

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, top delivery. Short of a length, on off, seaming away, beats the bat

3.4

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, Big lbw shout Short of a length, pitched outside leg, hitting him high and in front. If you looked at the appeal and the reaction to the decision, you'd think the ball pitched middle, and was taking the middle of the middle stump out

3.5

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

3.6

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short, wide, pretty harmless, left alone

4.1

Kulasekara to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, inswinger, nicely covered, and played late with a slightly closed face to guide it wide of mid-on

The keeper comes up to the stumps again. Three slips, a gully, and a short leg

4.2

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, and Sri Lanka pay the price for having the keeper up. Short of a length, seaming away, takes the edge, hits the gloves of the keeper, and deflects to first slip where Paranavitana drops it. Would it have been a sitter but for the deflection? We'll never know. Having said that, Para should have taken it, deflection or no defelection

4.3

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, FOUR, hey wound, here is some salt. Leg-stump half-volley, flicked away for four through wide mid-on

4.4

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, another flick, but an alert Chandimal gets his body behind it

4.5

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

4.6

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, 4 leg byes, full, pitched outside leg, takes a deflection off his pad, and goes for four leg-byes

5.1

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, sliding down the leg side, deflects off the pad to the keeper

5.2

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, short of a length, outside off, defended

5.3

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, FOUR, length ball, just outside off, Hafeez pushes with soft hands, gets a thick edge between slip and gully, all along the ground

5.4

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, short of a length, outside off, kicks a little, kept down by Hafeez

5.5

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, short, not too wide, Hafeez is cramped on the cut, gets a bottom edge that lands safely away from the stumps

5.6

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, FOUR, inswinger, but a juicy half-volley at mid-120s, and Hafeez off-drives it between the bowler and mid-off for four

6.1

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, wide outside off, left alone, PJ makes the collection on the second take

6.2

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, length ball, just outside off, swinging away, beats the drive

6.3

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short of a length, moving away outside off, left alone

6.4

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, never-ending appeal. And a peach of a decision from Steve Davis who must be under tremendous pressure with no DRS available and appealing so vehement. Pitched short of a length, on leg, seaming away, hitting the back thigh. You can see why SL were so adamant. There was a sound and a deflection. But Davis got it right

6.5

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, FOUR, another close call for Taufeeq. Kula pitches this up, swinging away, and he looms to work this to leg. The leading bisects the third slip and gully

6.6

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short and wide, and left alone

7.1

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, pushes at a length ball outside off, beaten as the ball holds its line

7.2

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, short of a length, middle and leg, Hafeez looks to work this to leg, gets a soft leading edge that falls short of gully

7.3

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, this is angling in too far and hits his pad outside the line of leg

7.4

Perera to Mohammad Hafeez, OUT, Timber. Pererea breaks through the bat-pad gap. Two deliveries earlier this over had held their line. That perhaps is the reason why Hafeez pushed away from the body. The ball was short of a length, and seamed in this time. Beats the inside edge of the bat, and kisses the pad on the way to the top of off

Mohammad Hafeez b Perera 22 (33m 27b 4x4 0x6) SR: 81.48

It's been a testing time for the openers with the ball seaming around. Hafeez counterattacked against it before he failed with a forward-defensive. That brings in Azhar Ali

7.5

Perera to Azhar Ali, no run, this one seams away, and starts outside off too. Left alone

7.6

Perera to Azhar Ali, no run, pitched up outside off, pushes away from the body, gets an inside edge, but is safe

Keeper still up to stumps as Kula continues his interrogation of Umar

8.1

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, length ball, seaming away, beats the bat by a long way

8.2

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, FOUR, closer to the stumps, on a length, and he drives it on the up. Taufeeq does fancy the drive. And he has played this superbly. All along the ground, between the non-striker and mid-off

8.3

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, slightly shorter, and left alone to swing away

8.4

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short of a length, pitched outside off, defended just outside off

8.5

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, another edge, but this one doesn't carry. Follows a widish delivery with an open face, but it doesn't carry to Mahela at second slip. Taufeeq must be relieved now that he is not facing Kula

8.6

Kulasekara to Azhar Ali, no run, harmless length ball wide outside off, left alone

9.1

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, teasing length outside off, Taufeeq's bat goes up as if for a booming drive, but then he changes his mind, and lets it go through

The keeper is back for Perera

9.2

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, he walks down the pitch and clips this off the pads for a single

9.3

Perera to Azhar Ali, no run, huge leg-before appeal as this one seams in to hit him in front of off. Hit him above the knee roll, and also pretty close to the inside edge. Enough doubt there

9.4

Perera to Azhar Ali, no run, oh what do you do with these, Jack? After one that seamed in sharply, he gets one to seam against the angle, and Azhar is beaten all ends up

9.5

Perera to Azhar Ali, OUT, an unsettled Azhar has fallen. After two deliveries that seamed either way, Perera floats one sucker delivery full and wide. Azhar goes after it, but his feet are stuck. Playing too far away for the body, he edges this at a comfortable height to gully. Perera vindicating the faith shown in him

Azhar Ali c Samaraweera b Perera 0 (9m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

In comes Younis Khan. Time for the umpires to let their guard down?

9.6

Perera to Younis Khan, no run, short of a length, well outside off, left alone

Taufeeq facing Kula again

10.1

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, length ball, seaming away, beats Taufeeq's push

10.2

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short of a length, left alone for PJ to collect it outside off

10.3

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short of a length, seaming away from middle and leg, beats the push again

"I have to say another issue to the keeper standing up, is the slips don't have him to be a guide of how far back to stand, you would have to say if the slips were a little further up that edge would've been taken easily & they likely would've been if the keeper was back.." SthAussie, I suppose Mahela is prepared to err on that count as long as he keeps Taufeeq inside the crease against Kula

10.4

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, pitched on leg and left alone. That's a good leave as this seams away outside off

10.5

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, FOUR, short of a length, on leg, and it is an indication of the bounce in this wicket that Taufeeq has flicked it off the front foot for four

10.6

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, huge shout for nothing. This one is seaming big, has hit the bat in front of stumps so it has to have pitched outside leg. Plus there is only a small chance this has hit the pad first. Must say the absence of DRS has made Sri Lanka appeal as if in a domestic game with umpires that are easily swayed by appealing

11.1

Perera to Younis Khan, no run, full outside off, defended solidly

11.2

Perera to Younis Khan, no run, left alone outside off

11.3

Perera to Younis Khan, no run, pushed with a straight face, towards mid-off

11.4

Perera to Younis Khan, no run, short of a length, outside off, left alone again

11.5

Perera to Younis Khan, no run, short of a length, well outside off, left alone again

11.6

Perera to Younis Khan, no run, length ball outside off, defended with a big stride in

12.1

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, middle and leg, seaming away big time, and beats the bat big time

12.2

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, FOUR, soft hands, deliberately done. Opens the face outside off, and guides it between slips and gully, along the ground

Here's something for the ICC to think about. The batsmen are often fined for lingering around when given out for showing dissent. What about the looks of disgust from bowlers, keeper and fielding captain?

12.3

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short of a length, outside off, and he dabs it. It seems b0undary-bound, but Samaraweera makes a superb diving save at fourth, having just moved there from gully

12.4

Kulasekara to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, pushed wide of mid-off for a single

12.5

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, no run, another appeal for lbw as this one seams in, but it has hit the flap of the pad, and would have bounced over

12.6

Kulasekara to Younis Khan, OUT, a duck farm here. Second duck for Pakistan. Lovely follow-up delivery from Kula after that big inducker. This one holds its line, and Younis pushes at it away from his body. The edge is soft, and PJ is alert to it, moving forward and fast to pluck this one

Younis Khan c †HAPW Jayawardene b Kulasekara 0 (13m 9b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

"You can't blame SL for appealing excessively, it is one of the things that DRS was actually meant to get rid of. Maybe they are trying to make a point. Plus, it can easily unsettle a batsman if they go up big once or twice an over." PDTM, not blaming them, just stating the fact. The umpires have done well so far, though. And they deserve a drink

Taufeeq gets the keeper standing back now

13.1

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, and walks down the wicket immediately to defend this

13.2

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, walks well down to push this to mid-off, and is sent back by Misbah

13.3

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, 1 run, pushed into the covers region for a single

Misbah to face for the first time

13.4

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, outside off, left alone

13.5

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, quick single, a tip and run. Short of a length, stumps to stump, pushed towards cover, and charges through

13.6

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, walks down the wicket, Perera slips in the bouncer, easily ducked under

Kula to bowl his eighth over in a row

14.1

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, and the pace is up at 132ks as he swings this a bit too far into the pads

14.2

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, pitched up, slightly wider, so the swing is bringing in towards middle and off, and Misbah gets an inside edge onto the pad

14.3

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, holdings its line, Misbah is walking down to get outside the line. Gets a bottom edge as he plays this on the walk

14.4

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, reads the away swinger, and lets it go

"@PDTM: it was srilanka that couldn't get DRS for this series, ICC didn't stop them. So what point are they trying to make..?" Hadi Muhammad, that's a strong point, a point that is not made often enough, especially when blaming BCCI. Perhaps they are trying to make a point to their own board?

14.5

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball outside off, defended off the front foot

14.6

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, wide length ball, left alone

Round the wicket. Into his eighth over

15.1

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short of a length, outside off, holds its line, left alone

15.2

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, FOUR, length ball, into the pads, flicked away square on the leg side, four more. One good thing Pakistan openers have done today is, they have not got bogged down, and have used every scoring opportunity. Can't be said of Nos 3 and 4

Back over the wicket

15.3

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, walks down to push this length ball to mid-off

And PJ comes up to the stumps to keep him inside the crease

15.4

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, short of a length, just outside off, gets an inside edge but safe

15.5

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, no run, length ball, on off, defended off the front foot

"looking at how perera and kula have bowled, you have to think mahela knew exactly what he was doing when he didn't hand dilhara the new ball. not saying that dilhara couldn't have done this, but perera is bowling with a vengeance right now." Vengeance on whom, Adi?

15.6

Perera to Taufeeq Umar, OUT, Perera has struck in his eight over too. Close to the stumps, pitches just in front of leg, and there is no angle on it for it to miss the off stump. Taufeeq plays down the wrong line by at least 7-8 inches. Pretty poor shot. And he has a guilty look on his face as soon as the ball hits his pad in front of middle and leg. Simon Taufel judges it right, and raises the finger

Taufeeq Umar lbw b Perera 29 (71m 46b 6x4 0x6) SR: 63.04

Kula into his ninth over with Pakistan coming undone against the medium-pace seamers

16.1

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, holding its line, and beats him as he walks down

16.2

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, left alone well outside off

16.3

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, left alone well outside off as this is pitched fuller

16.4

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, on off, defended off the back foot

16.5

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, seaming in, pushed to short leg

Keeper up to the stumps again

16.6

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, slightly fuller, middle and leg, defended to short leg again

Ninth over for Perera too. Asad Shafiq to face for the first time

17.1

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, wide length ball, left alone

17.2

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, closer to off, defended off the front foot

17.3

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, accurate, no seam movement, defended off the front foot

PJ is up again

17.4

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, on off, defended off the front foot

17.5

Perera to Asad Shafiq, 2 runs, pitched up, gives him the drive, and Shafiq drives it wide of mid-off for a couple. Dilhara gives the chase, and Shafiq turns down the easy third

17.6

Perera to Asad Shafiq, FOUR, Perhaps he turned down the third because he knew he was going to drive the next ball for four. Length ball, wide, and driven handsomely through the vacant extra cover region

Kula into hid 10th over. That's some stamina. Mahela will hope this doesn't overbowl him, and do him in for the day

18.1

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, Misbah walks down the wicket, swinging down leg

18.2

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, defended in front of off

18.3

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, on off, defended off the back foot

18.4

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, shimmies down the wicket again, and defends this shortish delivery to leg

18.5

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, inswinger, starting from wide outside off, headed for off and middle, Misbah is well forward in defence

18.6

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, full and wide, and left alone

Nice and sunny in Pallekele now. And we now have a bowling change. And it's still not Dilshara. It's Angelo Mathews bowling ahead of him. Top spell from Perera: 9-3-31-3

19.1

Mathews to Asad Shafiq, no run, starts with an outswinger, left alone

19.2

Mathews to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, outside off, strides forward, leaves it be

19.3

Mathews to Asad Shafiq, no run, beauty. Gets this to pitch closer to off, makes him play, then gets it to move away and beat the edge. Unplayable, almost

19.4

Mathews to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, angled in, left alone. Not too far from off

19.5

Mathews to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, short of a length, into the pads, worked away for a single

Two slips, a gully, a short cover

19.6

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, walks down the wicket, leaves this alone outside off

Ho ho ho. Even Rangana Herath gets a bowl ahead of Dilhara. O boy

20.1

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, full and slow, defended to leg

A slip and a short leg

20.2

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, full, middle and leg, defended solidly

20.3

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, left alone outside off, but this one angles in as opposed to turning away. Misses off not by much

20.4

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, tossed up on off, solid forward-defensive from Shafiq

20.5

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, shorter, quicker, 80ks, defended off the back foot

20.6

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, slows it down again, 77ks, on off, defended off the front foot

Keeper up again

21.1

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, outswinger, on off, defended watchfully

21.2

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball, wide, and swinging away. Left alone

21.3

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, closer to off, making him play, which Misbah does with an open face, towards gully

21.4

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, slightly wider, and left alone

21.5

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, angling in, pushed towards square leg

21.6

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short and wide, but Misbah doesn't go after it

Just one run scored in the last four overs. As Herath starts his second over, Adeel wonders if Dilhara has been picked as a specialist batsman

22.1

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, defended solidly outside off

22.2

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, another forward-defensive as this is pitched up

22.3

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, left alone outside off

22.4

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, full and straight, patted back to him

22.5

Herath to Asad Shafiq, 2 runs, shimmies down the track, takes it on a half-volley, dinks into the leg side, and Dilhara and Angelo almost collide. Accident averted

22.6

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, flatter, quicker, defended to leg

23.1

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball outside off, left alone for the keeper standing up

23.2

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, 4 leg byes, goes wide of the crease, and angles it too far down for four leg-byes

"Putting Dilhara out to bat is like making David Warner bowl seam-up in an actual ODI...oh wait!" Adi, Warner did that yesterday? Sorry I have been living under a rock. Always do on days off

23.3

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, outside off, defended

23.4

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, outswinger, closer to off, makes him play, which Misbah does with soft hands, and guides this to gully

23.5

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, nicely bowled. On a length, in front of off, shaping away, defended in front of his body

23.6

Mathews to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, outside off, left alone

"What's wrong with 1 run in 3 overs? This is test cricket but not butchering 20 overs game." Tille, I don't recall saying there is anything wrong with it. The short leg moves behind square. Deep square must be in front then

24.1

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball on off, defended to cover

24.2

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, flat, defended

24.3

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, pitched up, on off, driven back to him

24.4

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, shimmies down the track to smother this flighted delivery

24.5

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, middle and leg, sliding in, defended to leg

24.6

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, flighted on off, defended solidly

13 minutes to lunch. Can Pakistan keep the damage down to four? Dilhara Fernando on his 17th comeback finally gets a ball

25.1

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, FOUR, and bowls short and wide first ball, which Misbah tucks into with a punch through point for four. That was bowled at 128ks

25.2

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, full and wide, and we have a deep point now, who keeps this drive down to one. It took one four for the man to go back. Modern captainitis

25.3

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, gets it to rise towards the chest, defended by Shafiq

25.4

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, wide outside off, swinging away, left alone

25.5

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, full, just outside off, swinging away, driven back to him

25.6

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, bouncer, 139ks, over the top of middle stumps. Shafiq ducks under it

26.1

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, flighted on off, defended off the front foot

26.2

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, flighted on off again, defended again

26.3

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, another solid forward-defensive

26.4

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, slightly shorter, gets it to turn a little, Misbah defends with an open face

26.5

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, FOUR, lovely drive. Old-fashioned way. Shimmies down the track, takes it on the half-volley, and sort of flicks it wide of mid-on

26.6

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, tossed up outside off, gets the ball to dip a little, defended off the front foot

27.1

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, 2 runs, length ball, middle and off, holding its line, driven off the thick outside edge, past cover for two

27.2

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, middle and off, defended to cover

27.3

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, that one kicks towards Prasanna's throat, but it is too wide to make Shafiq play

27.4

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, full toss, 135ks, Shafiq doesn't time the drive well and finds mid-on

27.5

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, short of a length, wide, he drives it on the up through point for a single. I'd rather the fielder be up, not giving them the easy single

Roshan Abeysinghe on air: Dilhara has missed five Tests or more between two Test appearances on eight occasions. Incredible stats

27.6

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, middle and off, hurrying onto him, defended solidly

28.1

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, flighted outside off, defended solidly

28.2

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, this one doesn't turn away, comes in with the arm, gets an inside edge onto the pad

Likely to be the last over before lunch. Super over rate for a session that has featured four wickets

28.3

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, angled into the pads, defended

28.4

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, comes down the track to kick this one away

A silly mid-off and short cover come in

28.5

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, flighted outside off, driven square to point

28.6

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, full, flat, middle and off, kept out

We are going to get in the 30th over too. Well done, Sri Lanka on the over rate

29.1

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, shortish, widish, Misbah keeps himself from playing at it. Extra bounce

"you just feel that these two, against the current SL attack, could probably bat into the morning of day 5 and still fall short of their hundreds. a pair of true attritionalists!" Don't we love attritionalists, Smudgeon?

29.2

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, fuller, closer to off, shaping away, defended back to him

29.3

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, wide of off, left alone, PJ collects in front of his face

29.4

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, closer to off, pushed towards gully

The ball seems to have stopped seaming around like a drunk after a heavy night

29.5

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, a touch too wide again, and Misbah lets it be

"the test masochist in me would rather watch Misbah block a hundred than Gayle slog a hundred." Good man, Smudgeon. Or woman perhaps. The name doesn't give it away. We need more Test masochists, though

29.6

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball, on off, defended to cover

12.05pm That's lunch. Sri Lanka's session. Well, we joked about some of Mahela's moves, especially holding Dilhara back for too long, but the two chosen men did their job, unless hindsight proves the wicket is too difficult for even 81 for 4! It is a testing wicket, no doubt, and will be interesting to see how Pakistan quicks do with it. Until then, though, credit is due to Kulasekara and Perera, who bowled together for almost one-and-a-half hours, and by the time they were done, Pakistan were 62 for 4 after 19 overs. Perera took three, Kula one. Middle session promises more contest between bat and ball after the bat largely reigned at SSC. Do come back around 12.35pm. I'll sign off with this from Kanishkaa Balachandran at Pallekele: "Kids playing soft ball matches at the outfield while the players take lunch. Interesting, because I haven't seen this in any other ground in this tour."

And Kulasekara is ready for another spell after 10 unchanged overs in the first session. Two slips, a sully and a short leg in

12.35pm Welcome back. We should soon be away with the middle session. Until then, amuse yourself at this thought from Faridoon: "Yunis given out correctly! Is that a first on this tour?". And if you have joined us late, here is the lunch bulletin by Sid Talya

30.1

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, swinging in towards middle and leg, defended to leg

A lot of interest in the comeback statistics of Dilhara and Sami. While we recorded this is Dilhara's 17th, Mazher Arshad informs me this is Sami's 14th

30.2

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, 2 runs, swinging in again, gets a thick inside edge on the drive

30.3

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, starts slightly wider, swinging in towards off, defended solidly

30.4

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, pushes at a short-of-a-length delivery outside off, gets an edge onto the boot, and then for a single wide of cover

30.5

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, walks down the wicket, sees this is wide, and lets it be

Well, Dilhara spent some time bowling on the practise pitches adjacent to the centre strip. Heavy-handed, overbearing officials can actually disallow that. Good on the two Aussies for doing otherwise

30.6

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, angling into the pad, worked away for a single

Here's Dilhara, bowling on the actual wicket

31.1

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, seaming away, Misbah plays an uncharacteristic shot at the wide delivery, and is beaten

31.2

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, slightly closer, and punched away to the squarer of the gullies. Gets a single of the overhead parry

31.3

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, full, on the pads, gets an inside edge onto the pad for a single

31.4

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, holding its line, defended to cover

31.5

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, full, slightly wide, 137ks, driven to mid-off

Ramiz Raja is put in the mind of Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty when he looks at Dilhara. No offence to Dilhara, but a s a Mithun fan, I take offence

31.6

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, digs this in short, gets it to rise towards the chest, fended down, well done

Going to a game? Write a fan report for us. More details here

32.1

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, moving in towards top of off, defended with an open face

After a quiet SSC Test match, the bands are back. And dare I say this one is not melodious at all. Just a horn being blown madly. Even Adnan Akmal in the players' gallery has hands on his ears. Where is the conductor of this orchestra?

32.2

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, moving in, defended off the front foot

32.3

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, holds its line, defended off the back foot

32.4

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, on off, no movement, defended solidly

32.5

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, FOUR, the upper-cut. Claculated risk. There was no way he was getting out even if he mis-hit. Short and wide, and he throws his arms at it. Up and over gully

32.6

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, fuller now, driven back to Kula

Batting definitely looking easier. Is it that the pitch has eased out or is it because the ball has lost its shine? Pakistan will hope the pitch doesn't ease out throughout the Test

33.1

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, dug in short again, defended in front of his chest

33.2

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, short and widish, punched away to deep point for one

33.3

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, and he trusts Fernando's bounce enough to leave it alone over the top of off stump

Fernando has a strong wind behind him. Hope the wind doesn't bring clouds with it

33.4

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball outside off, left alone, collected high by PJ

33.5

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length now, holding its line in front of off, defended towards gully

33.6

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, thick outside edge this time, but the soft hands ensure it doesn't carry to gully

34.1

Kulasekara to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, walks down the track, bunts this inswinger into the leg side for a single

"I am watching this match using earphones because everyone at my house is asleep. I don't think I can take this anymore, the screaming and the stupid horns" Shahrukh, try watching with a hearing aid on, you'll go mad. Although that horn has been quiet for a while now

34.2

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball outside off, holding its line, left alone

34.3

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, angling in, but starts wide enough for Asad to leave it alone

34.4

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, towards top of off, defended off the front foot

34.5

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, short and wide, but can't beat point with this cut

34.6

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, well forward to defend this to off

35.1

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, short of a length, kicking up, drops and runs, gets a single before cover can come around

35.2

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, short and wide, left alone

35.3

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, outside off, no movement, defended solidly

35.4

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, length ball, on off, driven wide of cover

35.5

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, short of a length, outside off, guided away past gully

35.6

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, slower ball, Shafiq is slightly early into the push, but manages to keep it down

36.1

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, swinging in, defended to leg

"Asad Shafiq is definitely one for the future. He absorbs the pressure and most importantly learns from his mistakes." AM, you better hope that, as opposed to the fine Cricinfo readers' tradition, you haven't put the mockers on

36.2

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, well wide, no movement, left alone

36.3

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, another leave outside off

36.4

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, seaming in, inside edge onto the pad, and then dies down

36.5

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, wide length ball, left alone

36.6

Kulasekara to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, wide, another leave

37.1

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, wide, Misbah flashes without any feet, and nearly edges it

37.2

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, FOUR, Really well bowled. Short of a length, kicking off towards the chest at a pretty rapid pace. Misbah fends at it, with hard hands, and the ball flies over gully

37.3

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, lovely bouncer, 136ks, on the top of the stumps, and Misbah sways out of its line. For good measure, it jags back in

37.4

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, middle and leg, beats him for the pace, hits the pad, but it is bouncing over - 138ks

A stat from Mazher Arshad that Sri Lanka fans won;t like: "Last time Pakistan lost a Test after batting first was 2 years back against England at Edgbaston'2010. "

37.5

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, widish, pushed towards cover

37.6

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, just outside off, defended solidly

"Shafiq is a very good player, but my concern is that he is a slow-goer, like Azhar and Misbah. I feel it throws off their balance when they could have Umar Akmal in there." PDTM tries the reverse mockers. Here is Rangana Herath. A slip, a silly mid-off, a short cover

38.1

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, shimmies down the track to defend this on the half-volley

38.2

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, flighted on middle and leg, defended back

38.3

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, arm ball, slightly shorter, defended easily

38.4

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, tossed up, on a length, and he tries to cut. Risky shot, not short enough for it. Beaten

38.5

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, angling in, punched back to Herath

"Umar Akaml over Asad Shafiq, please tell me that was a joke PTDM" Usman's reaction suggests he might have spilled his drink all over his computer

38.6

Herath to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, chips down the track, takes this on the half-volley, drives it to long-on

39.1

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, slower ball, 121ks, on off, fails to deceive him, driven back to Fernando

39.2

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, the bouncer, 135ks, Shafiq has no trouble ducking under it - called one for the over

39.3

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, Nearly there. Short of a length, on off, gets it to move away a little, beats the push

"Despite this only being the beginning of the third test of a highly rain affected series, there have already been 14 ducks. I can't imagine that there has been a three-test series with more quackers." Gareth, given the history of dramatic collapses whenever these teams face each other, not a bad place for poultry farming

39.4

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, FOUR, shortish, but wide, and he has punched this in front of square for four

39.5

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, sucker ball, wide outside off, left alone

"@PDTM. Misbah is pushing 39 years old. Keep Shafiq in for the moment, and let Umar prove himself to earn that spot when his captain retires." Says GK, who incidentally has an email address that will not get published on family sites

39.6

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, just outside off, defended to cover

40.1

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball, on off, defended solidly

40.2

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, slight dip for him, Misbah plays in front of his body, but the ball doesn't misbehave enough to bother him

40.3

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, fuller and flatter, defended to cover

"i havnt seen one innings by azhar ali in which pitch has something genuine in it for the bowlers and he has got even a 50....dont think he is the best choice for no 3" Umer looks beyond the stats

40.4

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, defended with an open face, in front of his body again

40.5

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, flatter, angling in, defended with the angle

40.6

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, flighted, middle and off, defended back to him

"Assuming that Pakistan manage to get in a good position when number 6 comes in, Umar would be better to capitalise. Admittedly, with all these collapses, Shafiq might be more suitable." PDTM, I prefer Shafiq to Azhar Ali should one of the two "slow" men be disposed. However, as you say, and as others say, as of now they are the best six. Perera the destroyer comes back

41.1

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball outside off, left alone

"Coming to the topic of Umar Akmal, i still remember how highly Umar & Virat Kohli were regarded as the future of their respective countries, Virat grabbed his opportunities with both hands but Umar still the same immature and silly batsman as we've seen since his debut." I am sure many agree with Nasir

41.2

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball outside off, seaming in a little, but left alone again. Not too far from the off stump

41.3

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, middle and leg, driven to mid-on

41.4

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, wide outside off, no need to follow it

"@Umer, I can remember Azhar getting 90 odd in swinging conditions at the Oval against a strong England attack." AM refreshed a few memories

41.5

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, wide again, left alone again

41.6

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, full and wide, driven to mid-off

"Umer - If you haven't seen Azhar Ali scoring 50 where pitch has something for bowlers then perhaps you didn't follow Pakistan's Test tour of England in 2010. The both the wins for Pakistan on that tour came when Azhar scored fifty (51 at Leeds vs Australia, 92* at the Oval vs England)." Mazher Arshad too comes out in defence of Azhar

42.1

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, FOUR, takes this on the full and clips it through midwicket. Good footwork to come down the crease and turn this into a fullie

42.2

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, flighted on middle and off, defended back to him

42.3

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, short of a length, outside off, right forward to defend

42.4

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, punched to point

42.5

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, shortish again, gets the width, but the cut can't beat point

42.6

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, FOUR, wide again, and this time Misbah beats the point fielder, going in front of him. Nicely done by Misbah

43.1

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, half-volley, just outside off, he jams it into the ground, and back to Perera

43.2

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, wide, no need to play at it

43.3

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, wide length ball, well forward, and lets it be

43.4

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, moving away, but starts too wide. Left alone

43.5

Perera to Asad Shafiq, FOUR, Edged and through. Closer to off, makes him play, holds its line, gets the edge, but it dies down, and goes between second slip and gully

43.6

Perera to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, the inswinger after bowling predominantly wide and taking it away. Shafiq is equal to it, and gets a single to long leg

Partnership now 28 overs long. A well-earned drink, I say

Also Asad Shafiq approaching his hundred... balls faced. That's a mini landmark too

44.1

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, outside off, defended to cover-point

44.2

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, down the wicket, right to the pitch of it, to the left of Herath who makes a diving save - that's 100 balls faced for Asad

44.3

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, full and straight, defended solidly

I am glad to inform you that a threatening cloud coming the ground's way has passed over, and the sun is out

44.4

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, defended back to him again

44.5

Herath to Asad Shafiq, no run, down the wicket again, to smother any turn

44.6

Herath to Asad Shafiq, FOUR, slow, short, wide, and Shafiq was waiting for just such a loose delivery to cut it away in front of point

45.1

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, slow ball, 121ks, swinging in, driven to mid-on

45.2

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball, wide, left alone

45.3

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, FOUR, nicely done. Short of a length, wide, and he meets it with an open face to guide it wide of gully

45.4

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, walks down the wicket to defend

45.5

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, walks down again, plays close to the body, gets an inside edge for a single

45.6

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, wide outside off, no need to follow it

46.1

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball, on off, angling in, defended

46.2

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, tossed up generously, middle and leg, turning away, played against the turn, into the leg side

46.3

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, no turn on this one, and is defended solidly

46.4

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball again, defended solidly again

46.5

Herath to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, Misbah leaves the crease, Herath tosses this up wide outside off, looking for a stumping, but the tall Misbah reaches it easily and drives it to sweeper-cover

46.6

Herath to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, arm ball, bunted square on the on side for a single

47.1

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, short of a length, outside off, left alone

47.2

Perera to Asad Shafiq, 2 runs, angling into the pads, nicely worked away for a couple

47.3

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, wide outside off, moving further away, left alone

47.4

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, another wide delivery not chased

47.5

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, another leave

Perera seems content with dot balls that are not troubling the batsmen and are wide outside off

47.6

Perera to Asad Shafiq, 1 leg bye, sliding down leg now, gets a leg-bye

Dilhara makes another comeback. Two slips and a gully for him

48.1

Fernando to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, short of a length, outside off, dabbed away for a single to deep point

48.2

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, FOUR, short and wide, slashes at it, gets a thick edge between second slip and gully

48.3

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, bouncer, over leg stump, Misbah stays under it

48.4

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, length ball, just outside off, defended

Misbah into the 90s in terms of balls faced

48.5

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, no run, too wide to make him play

Sri Lanka not making the batsmen play in this session

48.6

Fernando to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, short, not too wide, but cut away to deep point for a single

49.1

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, 1 run, short of a length, bunted into the on side, midwicket is on his heels, and they take a single

49.2

Perera to Asad Shafiq, no run, length ball, on off, defended off the front foot

49.3

Perera to Asad Shafiq, 1 run, angling into the pads, turned away for a single

49.4

Perera to Misbah-ul-Haq, OUT, Perera's golden touch continues. Just when Sri Lanka were looking subdued, Misbah has an uncharacteristic concentration break. Walks down the wicket, Perera bowls short of a length and outside off. He has been leaving these for a while now, but follows this one, and edges it as the ball leaves him. That was too wide for a player of Misbah's class and patience

Misbah-ul-Haq c †HAPW Jayawardene b Perera 40 (147m 95b 7x4 0x6) SR: 42.10

Adnan Akmal is out in the middle now. "A family of wicketkeepers", Danny M calls his family

49.5

Perera to Adnan Akmal, no run, left alone outside off

49.6

Perera to Adnan Akmal, no run, driven on the up now, finds cover