Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 3nd Test, Colombo, Live Streaming, Live Scores
An amazing test match series reaches a conclusion when Sri Lanka and Pakistan face off again in the 3rd and final test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo on Monday. Sri Lanka have already clinched the series but that doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story.
There is a rarely a dull moment in a Pakistan test match series and this tour of Sri Lanka has been one of the most extraordinary I can recall. Whilst Sri Lanka may have clinched their first home series win, I am still shaking my head in disbelief at 3 of the most spectacular Pakistan batting collapses that I have seen. In case you have not been following this series here is a quick re-cap of how the Pakistan team have thrown away winning positions in each of the first 2 test matches.
1st Test: Sri Lanka won by 50 runs
After a fairly even 1st innings Pakistan assumed control and find themselves needing just 97 to win with 8 wickets remaining going into Day 4. Collapse number 1 saw them come up 50 runs short as they added just 46 runs.
2nd Test: Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, a good toss to have won by all accounts but they manage to bat for just 36 overs scoring 90 runs in the process of collapse number 2. Game over? Certainly not, back come Pakistan and they restrict Sri Lanka to 240, a useful though not match-winning lead of 150.
Pakistan take control as Fawad Alam (168 on debut) and Younus Kahn (82) pile on the runs before the captain throws his wicket away with the score on 285. A threatening lead and plenty of batting to come – advantage Pakistan? Think again. Pakistan went on to lose their last 9 wickets for just 35 runs in collapse number 3. It gave them a lead of just 170 and Sri Lanka knocked off the runs in no time.
The Venue:
This venue has become a Sri Lanka cricket stronghold with only Pakistan (2000), England (2001) and Australia (2004) managing to win a test against the hosts. Sri Lanka have won 11 of the last 14 test matches they have played on this ground, they even put India away by an innings and 239 runs last year.
A new era for Sri Lanka
Sangakkara has captained the side splendidly, refusing to panic when on the back foot and pressing home the advantage when Pakistan lost their heads. Paranavitana and Sangakkara himself have made solid contributions with the bat. Despite missing Murali for the first 2 tests and Mendis not really firing, the bowlers has been top class.
After the 3rd test, the sides will play 5 ODI’s and a T20 and we will preview each match.
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