Sharjah stalemate gives Pakistan series win
The third and final Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah ended in a draw on Monday.
Pakistan enjoyed a one-nil series win after the third and final Test in Sharjah ended in a stalemate.
The Sri Lankans needed a victory to square the three-match series after losing the second Test in Dubai inside four days, but rain and Pakistan's defiance ended their quest for belated triumph.
A three-hour delay due to inclement weather eventually left Sri Lanka to declare at 164 for five – a lead of 254. Pakistan were never going to chase that target, instead batting out the draw.
They lost four wickets in the process, but there was no genuine cause for alarm in the home camp as Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq brought on the draw.
Skipper Misbah dragged his way to a characteristically dogged nine not out from 86 balls, while sidekick Shafiq also forsook entertainment en route to seven from 55 deliveries before the match was called off under dying light.
Earlier Pakistan wobbled as they looked to preserve their series lead.
12th man Lahiru Thirimanne inspired the initial breakthrough, with his direct-hit running out Mohammad Hafeez. Rangana Herath then snared the wicket of Azhar Ali, after which Chanaka Welegedara bagged the key scalp of first-innings centurion Younis Khan.
Taufeeq Umar compiled a steady 39 but was stopped in his tracks by Suraj Randiv, who had the batsman hole out at backward point.
Randiv was confident he had another victim, but umpire Simon Taufel was not convinced of what seemed to be an edge to the wicketkeeper.
Misbah and Shafiq continued to stonewall the Sri Lanka attack in a partnership of 10 drab runs that spanned all of 95 laborious balls.
The teams begin a five-match ODI series in Dubai on Friday.
Latest
-
NewsZak Crawley rediscovers form as Kent’s clash with Northamptonshire is drawn
Crawley started the week averaging under 20 in this season’s LV= Insurance County Championship.
-
NewsIndia recall Cheteshwar Pujara for rescheduled Test against England
The 34-year-old has scored four hundreds in eight innings for Sussex this season.
-
NewsKeith Barker blows away Somerset to help Hampshire to victory
The visitors needed just one run in their second innings to seal victory.
-
NewsCraig Overton claims 400th first-class wicket in Somerset-Hampshire clash
The England seamer’s three-wicket burst left the contest delicately balanced at the halfway stage.
-
NewsThree positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.
-
NewsZak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
NewsMark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
NewsMcCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
NewsEffects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
NewsBen Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.