Pakistan shines on the pitch with series win

SHARJAH (Reuters) : Pakistan highlighted their talent on the pitch to draw the third and final test against Sri Lanka and win the series 1-0 on Monday just days after three former team mates were jailed for spot-fixing.

• Pakistan draw match to win Sri Lanka series 1-0
• Pakistan finish on 87-4 with victory target of 255

Having been set a target of 255 runs for victory on the rain-hit fifth day, Pakistan opted for safety and were led largely by Taufeeq Umar’s watchful 39 from 121 balls to finish on 87 for four from 57 overs.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq was unbeaten at the end on nine, the innings typical of his team’s dogged approach on an uneventful last day as he batted for nearly 100 minutes and face 86 balls.

Pakistan, who won the second match of the series by nine wickets after the drawn first test, were playing “home” tests in the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns in their own country.

The series win follows former captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir being handed jail sentences in London last week for their role in a gambling-inspired plot to bowl deliberate no-balls against England last year.

However, the victory and the fine performances of spinner Saeed Ajmal, which made him joint player of the series with Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara, will give Pakistani cricket supporters some cheer.

After the first session was washed out on Monday, a Sri Lanka win to force a series draw became even more unlikely.

Resuming on their overnight 164 for five, Sri Lanka batted 4.2 overs to declare their second innings on 181 for six wickets with opener Tharanga Paranavitana (76) and Rangana Herath (one) unbeaten at the crease.

Pakistan wobbled early on, losing Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali to be 30 for two before first innings centurion Younis Khan was dismissed during the 29 overs they faced until tea.

Taufeeq carved the ball to Sangakkara at backward point off Randiv, briefly raising Sri Lanka’s hopes of an unlikely win, though Asad Shafiq (seven) repelled the depleted attack alongside Misbah until bad light forced the close.

Sri Lanka lost paceman Dhammika Prasad for the rest of the game with a thigh strain early in the match and the remaining bowlers never really threatened Pakistan.

Ajmal, the series-leading wicket taker, picked up 18 victims and his 5-68 turned the second test on its head as Sri Lanka collapsed and gifted Pakistan victory.

Sangakkara piled up 516 runs at an average of 86, scoring a vital 211 in the first test to salvage a draw.

The two countries will now contest a five-match one-day series starting on Friday in Dubai before a one-off Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 25.