Third Test, Colombo, day three (close):
Pakistan 299 & 300-5 v Sri Lanka 233
Match scorecard

Malik's ton steadied the ship for the visiting Pakistan

An unbeaten 106 from Shoaib Malik helped Pakistan build a 366-run lead over Sri Lanka with two days left of the third and final Test in Colombo.

Malik and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal (60 not out) put on 114 between them to steer the tourists to 300-5.

Earlier, a fifth-wicket partnership of 119 between Misbah-ul-Haq (65) and Malik rescued Pakistan, who were reduced to 67-4 just before lunch.

Sri Lanka have already secured the series having won the first two Tests.

The home side are the only team to have chased down a target in excess of 200 in the fourth innings at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground - making 326 against Zimbabwe in 1998.

606: DEBATE A possible consolation victory - so does it matter?

Sri Lanka began the day 16-1 but soon lost Fawad Alam, who was caught and bowled by paceman Thilan Thushara.

Younus Khan was next to fall after he was given lbw by umpire Ian Gould off the bowling of Nuwan Kulasekara, having made 19.

Television replays showed an inside edge.

And a collapse was on the cards when left-arm spinner Rangana Herath sent Yousuf packing after the batsman edged to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara.

But Misbah and Malik steadily played Pakistan out of trouble before the former fell to all-rounder Angelo Mathews whose delivery he nudged to Sangakkara.

However, Kamran and Malik continued the good work to give Pakistan a great chance of a consolation victory.

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