Pakistan win Test series against Sri Lanka after draw

Third Test, Sharjah:

Sri Lanka 413 & 181-6 drew with Pakistan 340 & 87-4

Match scorecard
Misbah-ul-Haq Pakistan are now unbeaten in five series under Misbah-ul-Haq's captaincy

Pakistan secured a 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka after the third and final Test in Sharjah ended in a draw.

Rain prevented any play in the morning session and when the match resumed Sri Lanka declared on 181-6, leaving Pakistan 255 to win from 61 overs.

They lost Mohammad Hafeez for 13 in the fifth over but were relatively comfortable at 87-4 when the captains agreed on a draw in fading light.

A nine-wicket win in the first Test in Dubai gave Pakistan the series victory.

It was much-needed success for Pakistan, who saw three of their players jailed for spot-fixing last week and still have to play their home matches in the United Arab Emirates because of security concerns in their own country.

Since their 3-1 defeat in England in 2010 they are now unbeaten in five series, winning against New Zealand and in a one-off Test with Zimbabwe, and drawing against South Africa and West Indies.

Sri Lanka curiously opted to bat on for four overs and two balls when the rain relented on the final afternoon, adding 16 runs and losing the wicket of Kosala Kulasekara, who bottom-edged a doosra from Saeed Ajmal onto his stumps, while Tharanga Paranavitana remained unbeaten on 76.
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
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Pakistan wins: 15

Sri Lanka wins: 9

Draws: 15

Pakistan series wins: 8

Sri Lanka series wins: 4

Drawn series: 4

In Pakistan's reply Hafeez was run out for 13 after he was hesitant in making his ground for what looked like a straightforward single, substitute fielder Lahiru Thirimanne with a direct hit.

Azhar Ali was trapped lbw by the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath for seven to leave the hosts two down with 30 on the board and more than 47 of the allotted overs still to bowl.

Former skipper Younis Khan batted out 13 overs for only 11 before driving straight to mid-on, while Taufeeq Umar lobbed a simple catch to Kumar Sangakkara at point in the final session.

Asad Shafiq survived a huge appeal for caught behind off Randiv and Misbah-ul-Haq edged Herath short of first slip in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 10 spanning almost 16 overs before the match was brought to its conclusion.

The sides will now reconvene in Dubai to begin a five-match one-day series on Friday before Sri Lanka's tour concludes with a one-off Twenty20 international on 25 November.

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