PALLEKELE: Pakistan's Azhar Ali smashed a second century in successive matches yesterday to leave the final Test against Sri Lanka poised for an intriguing finish.
Azhar made 136 as Pakistan wriggled out of a corner to post 299-8 in their second innings by stumps on the fourth day in Pallekele, a lead of 188 runs with two wickets in hand.
The tourists now have three sessions on the fifth day to conjure a series-levelling win on a wearing pitch that will offer some turn to prolific off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.
But Sri Lanka remain favourites to win or draw the match and clinch their first series victory in three years since beating New Zealand at home in 2009.
The hosts won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs before the second in Colombo was drawn.
Azhar, who made 157 in the Colombo Test, held the innings together for six hours, hitting 13 boundaries in his fourth Test century and the third this year.
The 27-year-old put on 94 for the second wicket with his overnight partner Mohammad Hafeez and 48 for the third with Younis Khan after Pakistan resumed the day at 27-1.
But the most crucial partnership came towards the end of the day when Asad Shafiq helped Azhar add 100 for the fifth wicket after Younis and skipper Misbah-ul Haq had departed quickly.
Scores: Pakistan 226 and 299-8 (Mohammad Hafeez 52, Azhar Ali 136, Asad Shafiq 55 not out) v Sri Lanka 337. AFP
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