Second Test, Kandy, day three:
Pakistan 170 & 183-2 beat Sri Lanka 279 & 73 by eight wickets


Vice-captain Younis Khan hit 12 fours in an unbeaten 73 as Pakistan completed an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka on day three of the second Test at Kandy.

They also took the series 1-0, a third consecutive victory following home successes against England and India.

After two hectic days which saw the fall of 28 wickets, Pakistan made light of chasing a target of 183.

Imran Farhat contributed 65 to a second wicket stand of 114 with Younis as they reached 183-2 in 43 overs.

Mohammad Yousuf hit the winning runs, clipping Lasith Malinga away for two to finish on 14 not out after being dropped by Tillakaratne Dilshan in the Sri Lanka paceman's previous over.

Sri Lanka were all out for 73 at the start of play as Abdul Razzaq (4-20) dismissed Muttiah Muralitharan with his first delivery.

We have been playing good cricket in recent months and hope to keep the momentum going

Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq
More post-match reaction

The home side began day three knowing former skipper Sanath Jaysuriya would be unable to bat after dislocating his right thumb while fielding.

But Muralitharan was not disposed towards trying to occupy the crease in the hope that he and Malinga could add a few precious runs to the lead and attempted an ambitious swipe which was safely held by Umar Gul.

Razzaq's immediate success denied Mohammad Asif the opportunity to repeat his six-wicket haul in Sri Lanka's first innings, but the tall pace bowler's 5-27 gave him match figures of 11-71.

Pakistan began their run chase brightly as Farveez Maharoof struggled in vain for the right line and length.


Mohammad Asif was named Man of the Match and Series

Kamran Akmal collected five fours in his 26-ball knock but then flashed at a ball from Malinga, who was introduced as first change, and keeper Kumar Sangakkara claimed the catch.

But any hopes Sri Lanka had of causing a collapse similar to the one Pakistan suffered in the first innings when their last seven wickets went down for 49 runs were soon snuffed out by Younis and Farhat.

Their century partnership either side of lunch took them just 26 overs but Farhat was then caught at second slip off Nuwan Kulasekara after an 109-ball innings, featuring 11 boundaries.

Pakistan were just 31 runs short when the wicket fell and skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was spared the task of having to strap on his pads as Younis and Yousuf completed the formalities.