Sri Lanka declared on 480 for five wickets in their second innings, a lead of 302 runs, on the fifth morning of the first test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Angelo Mathews led Sri Lanka’s strong fightback with a career-best unbeaten 157 and guided his team to a healthy lead of 302.
Mathews defied Pakistan throughout the fifth day and lifted Sri Lanka to 480-5 in their second innings as Pakistani bowlers toiled hard.
The Sri Lanka captain had revived the innings by adding 138 runs with Dinesh Chandimal (89) in nearly 3½ hours after resuming at a struggling 186-4 before adding further 156 runs with Prasanna Jayawardene (63 not out).
Mathews hit 16 fours and a six in his 343-ball knock against the pace trio of Junaid Khan (3-93), Bilawal Bhatti (2-146) and wicketless Rahat Ali, and the offspin of Saeed Ajmal.
Scores: Sri Lanka 204 (Angelo Mathews 91; Junaid Khan 5-58, Bilawal Bhatti 3-65) & 480-5 dec (Angelo Mathews 157 not out, Dinesh Chandimal 89, Kaushal Silva 81, Prasanna Jayawardene 63 not out, Kumar Sangakkara 55; Junaid Khan 3-93) v Pakistan 383 (Younus Khan 136, Misbah-ul-Haq 135; Shaminda Eranga 3-80, Rangana Herath 3-93)
