Jayasuriya holds the key

Sri Lanka 208 and 134 for 1 (Jayasuriya 97*, Sangakkara 3*) trail Pakistan 478 (Inzamam 117) by 136 runs
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A lead of 270 had been whittled down to 136 and, suddenly, Pakistan's bowlers, so effective in the first innings, seemed out of place in the second. Sanath Jayasuriya was single-handedly changing the course of the second Test with a sublime knock. After five sessions on the field, he realised the pitch had nothing for the fast bowlers and proceeded to wrest the initiative from Pakistan.

Sri Lanka are not out of the docks yet. The deficit is still substantial, and the pitch will only get easier to bat on in the last innings. A wicket or two could lift Pakistan's spirits, especially if one happens to be Jayasuriya. But at the crease were two of Sri Lanka's most prolific batsmen this year. Kumar Sangakkara was not his fluent self yesterday, and was nearly dismissed by Danish Kaneria, but a stay at the wicket against the easy-paced bowling could do a world of good for him.

A Sri Lankan win seems unlikely from here, though a draw and Pakistan winning are viable options. It depends on how quickly they score, and whether they can play for time.