Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 3rd Test at Kandy, Jul 08 2012 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That brings us to the end of this Test series. Abhishek Purohit signing off, leaving you with Sid Talya's match report. There will be more from our man in Pallekele, Kanishkaa Balachandran, later. For the moment, it is goodbye from us

Mahela lifts the series trophy, and carries it towards his waiting team-mates

Mahela: "I think we have won the series, right? [when asked why they did not go for the runs]. We fought in tough situations, guys performed under pressure. When we came into the last hour, we realised it was not within our reach as we had lost a couple of wickets. Chandimal's wicket was very crucial, we shut shop after that, but obviously till then, the intent was to win the match. It was a very hard series for us. Given the kind of armoury Pakistan have, they should be ranked higher in the ICC rankings. Everyone should take a lot of credit for the hard work [for the series win]."

Misbah: "After the first game, really happy with the way we performed. Azhar Ali and Shafiq did really well, the way Adnan played with a broken finger, Junaid is a positive for us the way he bowled, we fought back after the first game. when you are not having a regular keeper, it puts pressure on your bowlers also. The pitch was live for first two days and after that it was really flat, nothing on it, if it would have been a five-day match, we could have had a result. We were behind in the first game, it cost us the series."

Man of the Series is Sangakkara for making 490 runs in three games at 163.33, getting out only thrice in six innings, and twice making 190s. Sangakkara: "Thisara came in and got us into a good position. Chandimal did well in the opening slot. Pakistan put us under pressure but our guys showed a lot of character. Since Murali, it has been a tough run for us. We have got to get used to playing without the greatest of all cricketers."

Man of the Match is Shafiq for his match-saving second-innings century. Shafiq: "It was challenging, I had to build a partnership. I would like to thank Adnan the way he played."

Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Junaid Khan providing a glimpse into Pakistan's future, and it looks to be in safe hands

The Galle Test proving to be the difference in the end; it was marred by several umpiring decisions going against Pakistan, but Sri Lanka were still the better side in that game. That apart, not much to choose between the two sides

Absorbing Test in the end, but you have to think Sri Lanka could have been more positive on day five. They sat back in the morning, allowing Shafiq and Adnan to build a big partnership, and then shut shop after tea in the chase.

That is the end of that. The teams have decided to call it off, and Sri Lanka have their first Test series win since August 2009. They went without a win for eight series since beating New Zealand 2-0 at home. And for Pakistan, it is their first series loss since going down 1-3 to England in July 2010. So their unbeaten run has lasted seven series

Kavindi: "I wasn't even this disappointed when we lost to SA last year. Absolute rubbish!!!" Lots of Sri Lanka fans writing in with similar sentiments after their decision not to go for the runs, they completely bottled up after tea

Nick: "Look on the bright side, Sri Lanka have finally won a series."

Riffeth: "This hurts! This hurts big time! Sri Lanka should have gone for it instead of giving up so easily! very disappointing by SL!"