Skipper Angelo Mathews led from the front with an unbeaten 77 to take Sri Lanka from 35-3 to 228-5. Mathews was the rock in Sri Lanka.
Mathews led from the front against a tiring Pakistani attack, adding 45 for the fourth wicket with Upul Tharanga (48) and 81 for the fifth with Jehan Mubarak (35). Mubarak marked his recall to the Test side after almost eight years with a gutsy 35 before he was caught at short-leg off Yasir Shah in the final session.
Sri Lanka's response since being comprehensively beaten in the opening Test in Galle has been impressive. Dinesh Chandimal returned to form with 39 not out, helping his captain put on 67 for the sixth wicket before bad light ended the day's play early.
Sri Lanka will begin the fourth day with a commanding overall lead of 291 runs with five wickets in hand, having a clear advantage, to break the 1-1 deadlock in the series. The three previous matches played at Pallekele International Stadium have all ended in draws, Sri Lanka are in a fabulous position to end that run, weather permitting, of course. Sri Lanka will begin the fourth day with a commanding overall lead runs with five wickets in hand.
In 16 previous Tests against Misbah-ul-Haq’s side, the right-hander had made eight scores of 50 or more, the best of them being an unbeaten 157.
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