Mathews toils in Abu Dhabi encounter

Sri Lanka reached stumps on day four of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on 420 for five, holding a lead of 241 runs thanks to an unbeaten century from skipper Angelo Mathews.

Sri Lanka reached stumps on day four of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on 420 for five, holding a lead of 241 runs thanks to an unbeaten century from skipper Angelo Mathews.

He was on 116 at the close, while Prasanna Jayawardene was on 48. The pair had put on 96 runs together as Pakistan only managed to take one wicket on the day, that of Dinesh Chandimal for 89.

The visitors began the day on 186 for four, with Mathews yet to come to the middle as the last wicket fell at stumps on day three. Sri Lanka had lost three late wickets, so the 99-run stand between him and Chandimal was vital.

Their lead was just seven runs at the start of play, but they pushed it to 106 in an extended morning session, to make up for the longer lunch break for Friday prayers. Chandimal was on 67 and Mathews on 56.

Chandimal made his way to 89 in the afternoon before becoming the first wicket of the day, and the only one till the close. He was caught by Rahat Ali off Junaid Khan, bringing Prasanna Jayawardene to the middle.

He and Mathews batted out the rest of the session at less than two to the over, making just 70 runs as the Pakistan bowlers struggled in the heat to remove them. Mathews was on 87 off a mammoth 211 balls at tea.

The evening session saw the hosts again go wicketless, as Mathews recorded his century off 239 deliveries. It was only his second Test ton, and beat his previous best of 105 not out.