Sharjah, United Arab Emirates : Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad cashed in on a very flat pitch to hit a maiden test century but Sri Lanka hit back through Rangana Herath's triple strike to restrict Pakistan to 291-6 in the decisive third test on Saturday.
Shehzad made 147 off 275 balls with 12 fours and a six in just over five-and-a-half hours before he became one of Herath's three victims in the last session on the third day.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 36 as Herath (3-88) also had Sarfraz Ahmed caught behind in the last over of the day.
“It's my debut series and I made century as well, so it's a kind of dream come true for me,” Shehzad, who scored 55 in the drawn first test, said.
“My wicket fell at a very wrong time as it's always difficult for a new batsman to come and adjust.”
Pakistan remained 137 runs adrift of Sri Lanka, after The Lions declared its first innings at 428-9.
Sri Lanka did well to restrict Pakistan to 169-2 by tea before Shehzad upped the scoring rate soon after. He completed his century off 230 balls with seven fours before smashing another five boundaries and also adding a six to his haul.
