Lanka draw as Vaas bids Tests goodbye

A heroic undefeated 130 from captain Kumar Sangakkara helped Sri Lanka save the third Test against Pakistan on Friday with the draw giving them a 2-0 victory in the three-match series.

A heroic undefeated 130 from captain Kumar Sangakkara helped Sri Lanka save the third Test against Pakistan on Friday with the draw giving them a 2-0 victory in the three-match series.

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Sri Lanka resumed on 183-3 chasing an improbable 492-run target and, led by Sangakkara, defied Pakistan's bowlers throughout an enthralling final day, closing on 391 for four after a rearguard performance lasting 134 overs.

Sangakkara's marathon 303-ball innings, his 19th Test century and first since taking over the captaincy, spanned nearly eight hours and included seven boundaries. The 31-year-old left-hander was helped either side of lunch by Thilan Samaraweera (73) with whom he added 122 for the fourth wicket, Sri Lanka's highest partnership in a low-scoring series.

All rounder Angelo Mathews, who scored an unbeaten 64, also provided adhesive support in an undefeated 114-run stand before and after the tea interval. Sri Lanka's score was the highest fourth innings total in Sri Lanka, surpassing their 352 against South Africa in 2006.

Pakistan started the day with high hopes of forcing a consolation victory after losing the first two Tests, but their bowlers struggled on a flat last-day pitch.

Only one wicket fell on Friday when off-spinner Saeed Ajmal had Samaraweera caught behind off his 'doosra' just after lunch.