*Maiden Test century by Ahmed Shehzad :

*Pakistan 291 for 6 still trail by 137 runs:

Sri Lanka can still force a win

Elmo Rodrigopulle

In another day of drab cricket, enlivened only towards final hour of play, Pakistan were 291 for 6 wickets, still trailing by 137 runs and Sri Lanka still having a stranglehold on the third day of the Third and final Test at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, here today.

At the wicket was Misbah Ul Haq on 36 with Safraz Ahmed out in the third ball of the final over. Sri Lanka first innings 428 for 9 declared. Pakistan 291 for 6 at the close.

The only enjoyable moment for the Pakistanis was when opener Ahmed Shehzad registered his maiden century in Test cricket. But he spoilt it all, the disgraceful manner in which he got out.

At 147 and batting and playing forceful shots, he attempted the ungainly reverse sweep that should not be attempted at this level of the game, got the bottom edge of the bat and dragged it on to his wicket. He hit 12 fours and a six in a 75-ball knock.

As it stands Sri Lanka are still on top and with the new ball due, if they can grab the remaining four wickets in the morning, could push for a second win in the series, although they would not be taking the risks to achieve that.

As for the Pakistanis, they kissed goodbye to their chances of forcing a series sharing victory, by some drab and aimless batting. The wicket held no terrors and the Pakistani batsmen should have been more positive.

Mathews and Perera out in the nineties

To recap - It was inexplicable the inability of Captain Angelo Mathews 91 and Dilruwan Perera 95 could not register three figure scores when going well and in no trouble whatsoever.

As for Mathews he seems to be having bad luck when on 91. Even in the First Test in Abu Dhabi he was out at this score in the first innings.

Here for his ability, whet he can smash any bowling, he was on hold for long and when he attempted fast forward, he played a poor shot.

Debutant Dilruwan Perera, nearing a century which not all batsmen are fortunate to achieve, suddenly lost concentration and holed out, with a poor hook shot.

They were in their 90s which batsmen term as nervous 90s. Traditionally many batsmen have suffered nerves and thrown it away before getting to the dream three figure marks.

Must learn and not repeat

Anyway now that it has happened, there is no point in crying over spilt milk, but to learn and not repeat. Centuries don't come easy and batsmen when on the way there must not throw it away.

Again what was on show was the slow batting of the Sri Lankans. But that is understandable, because with Sri Lanka having won the Second Test, needed to only draw this Test to pocket the series.

Their game plan was to first not throw it away, but to first get away from defeat land. That they did with ideal batting to make a big 428 for 9 before declaring and putting the game beyond Pakistan's reach.

With three days remaining, the onus was on Pakistan to step on it from the first ball, first avert the follow on and then push to win if they intend squaring the series and keeping their team building process on course.

Pakistan openers not stepping on it

As the third day's proceedings began to unfold, it was apparent that the wicket was dead as a dodo. Openers Kurram Manzoor and Ahmed Shehzad were expected to keep the score moving by getting on top of the bowling.

But that did not seem the intent. There was no enterprise in their approach. They did not take any risks, but were content to play pat ball cricket and score only when the loose ball came along.

By batting with no target or purpose, they were consuming time and nullifying any attempts or chances of Pakistan forcing a win. The Lankan bowlers too will no help from the wicket, were content to peg on.

The openers added 66 more runs to their overnight score of 19 in the morning session in 29 overs to go to lunch on 85 with Manzoor on 41 and Shehzad on 42, still trailing by 342 runs.

Openers complete half centuries

There was no change in the approach of the Pakistani openers even after lunch. They did not seem to be under any instructions to up the rate of scoring and seemed concerned of only milestones - reaching their half centuries.

In the process they hoisted the 100-run stand and 14 runs later Manzoor on 52 was taken down the leg side by a safe Prasanna

Jayewardene off Shamaindra Eranga. He hit 4 fours in a 125-ball knock. 114 for 1.

Right hander Azhar Ali came in and he too lacked aggression and after adding 35 runs with Shehzad failed to read Dilruwan Perera's floater and edged to Mathews in the slips. 149 for 2. He made 8.

Shehzad who was nearing a century 94 and Younis Khan 8 took Pakistan to tea on 169 for 2 still trailing 259 runs. In this session too only 85 runs were scored in 29 overs which was pretty slow going and not doing any good to Pakistan's cause.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka 1st innings   428-9 dec 
Pakistan 1st innings 
Khurram Manzoor c Prasanna b Eranga		52
Ahmed Shehzad b Herath			       147
Azhar Ali c Mathews b Perera			08
Younis Khan c Prasanna b Herath			17
Misbah-ul Haq not out				36
Asad Shafiq lbw b Eranga			18
Sarfraz Ahmed c Prasanna b Herath		05
Extras: (b1, lb6, nb1)				08
Total: (for six wkts; 95.3 overs)	       291

To bat: Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman
	Mohammad Talha, Junaid Khan
Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Manzoor), 2-149 (Azhar)
		 3-189 (Younis), 4-245 (Shehzad)
		 5-274 (Shafiq), 6-291 (Sarfraz)
Bowling: Herath 31.3-8-88-3
	 Lakmal 21-4-57-0
	 Perera 17-1-71-1
	 Eranga 19-5-53-2 (1nb)
	 Mathews 7-3-15-0