Sharjah, Nov 7: Sri Lanka grabbed three cheap wickets Monday as it pushed for an unlikely series-levelling victory over Pakistan on a rain-hit fifth and final day of the third and final cricket test at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan, set an improbable 255 off 61 overs, wobbled before the tea break, stuttering to 61-3.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, resuming on its overnight total of 164-5, was stalled by morning drizzle that wiped out the entire first session.
Once play finally got under way 35 minutes after lunch, the visitors pushed their score to 181-6 before the declaration arrived.
Opener Tharanga Paranavitana ended unbeaten on 76, a knock that included five fours and a six off 168 deliveries.
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal claimed 3-50, including the wicket of Kosala Kulasekara (7), while pacer Umar Gul took 2-44.
Pakistan wobbled early as they bid to preserve their 1-0 series lead.
Substitute Lahiru Thirimanne inspired the breakthrough, his direct hit from mid-on removing Mohammad Hafeez for 13 at 20-1.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath added the wicket of Azhar Ali before seamer Chanaka Welegedara claimed first innings centurion, Younus Khan.
Azhar (7) was lbw playing inside the line of a turning delivery, while Younus (11) chipped an on-drive to mid-on.
Opener Taufeeq Umar led the resistance in an unbeaten 26 off 87 balls with two boundaries.
Herath took 1-15 and fellow left-armer Welegedara grabbed 1-17.
