Sangakkara helps Sri Lanka to a draw
In the end, neither team wanted it badly enough. Sri Lanka couldn't quite summon up the courage for one final dash, and Pakistan spent much of the afternoon merely going through the motions
In the end, neither team wanted it badly enough. Sri Lanka couldn't quite summon up the courage for one final dash, and Pakistan spent much of the afternoon merely going through the motions
It's time for drinks now. 101 more to get in 15 overs, but we only continue as far as 5.30pm, so we won't get all the overs in.
That ends all the suspense. The match is drawn. Just a momentary scare for Pakistan there to add some excitement at the death. Both captains agree to call it off, shake hands and Sanga, the man of the day, leads them off the field. Pakistan would have backed themselves to win this game despite a placid pitch, but they've only managed to get the solitary wicket. Sri Lanka approached the task of saving the game by way of building partnerships. The openers paved the way, and Sangakkara, along with Paranavitana, Samaraweera and Mathews ensured the task was achieved with little difficulty. They'll be satisfied with the result, and Pakistan, hoping to build some momentum going into the ODI series with a consolation win, have their hopes dashed. Their fast bowlers received little support from the track, but the spinners were countered brilliantly by some excellent footwork throughout. Sanga's the highest run-getter this series and is certainly a candidate for Man of the Series. Herath, too. We'll get you the details from the presentation shortly.
Speaking of the ODI series, Sri Lanka have just announced their squad. Vaas - he's just played his last Test - has been left out, while Samaraweera finds a place.
Rameez Raja's the man at the presentation. Chaminda Vaas gets a memento for his contribution to Sri Lankan cricket. His family watches the proceedings.
They're now showing a clip of some of the highlights of his career on the big screen. A nice way of expressing the gratitude.
Vaas: "It's a special moment for me after playing for 15 long years. I'd like to thank all the cricket lovers for supporting me throughout in my career. I'd like to thank my family for their love and support."
Younis, big smiles as usual
Younis: "They built good partnerships and Sangakkara played really well. But it's not too bad. We created chances in this series but the collapses cost us badly. The balls get soft very quick and the wicket slowed down quite a bit today. We just need to go and hang in there and learn to finish games. We have a good ODI team, with a couple of good allrounders, and hopefully some of the players can carry their good form from this Test into the ODI series."
Sangakkara is the Man of the Match for his match-saving innings.
Sanga: "We played a good fourth innings and the players got into some form which bodes well for the ODI series. Angelo is very mature for a guy so young, and hopefully we'll see bigger and better things from him in the next 12-15 years. We missed Murali really badly, but it shows that the new guys who come in are hungry for success. If Dilshan was fit, and had we made a few more runs after tea, we would have considered going for a win but I think we made the right decision in the end. We look for to play some really professional cricket, and ensuring a good start and finish to each game. Vaas has been a great inspiration for generations of cricketers. We can pay him hundreds of millions of rupees but that won't make up for his contribution to Sri Lankan cricket."
Kulasekara has been named Man of the Series.
Kulasekara: "I'm very happy because I played all three Tests. This is my first Man-of-the-Series award." The conversation ends abruptly, but he bowled brilliantly in the first two Tests and deserves the honour.
That's all we have from here folks. Thanks for tuning in and sending us your feedback. It's been a pleasure bringing you the Test series, and do join us for the ODI series which begins on the 30th in Dambulla. Until then, it's goodbye from all of us at Cricinfo. Adios!
Slip, short leg, leg slip and a short midwicket
Round the wicket...
Owen: "Don't forget the number of overs left will be less than normal because of the latest finishing time. Also, there was no drinks break yet this session, and Pakistan could take one if they wanted to take another over off."
The cut-off time is 5.30 local time, which is 55 minutes from now. Can they squeeze in 16 overs?
With 15 overs remaining and Sri Lanka needing a further 101 to win on the final day at the SSC, the Sri Lankan captain said his decision was largely dictated by the injury worries to Tillakaratne Dilshan
The Pakistan captain also expressed his surprise that Sri Lanka did not press for the win
Chaminda Vaas bid adieu to Test cricket during an emotional farewell at the SSC after the third and final Test against Pakistan ended in a draw
In the end, neither team wanted it badly enough. Sri Lanka couldn't quite summon up the courage for one final dash, and Pakistan spent much of the afternoon merely going through the motions
The Sri Lankan spinner is confident, provided the team bat the way did in the final two sessions of play of the fourth day at the SSC