Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Day 3 Highlights: Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Help Sri Lanka Dominate

Alright then. The stage is set for Sri Lanka. This will be their last Test match at home in 2022 and they would be hoping to end it on a high. Also, as well all know, Dhananjaya de Silva will be the acting captain, as Dimuth Karunaratne is unable to get on the field with a back spasm. So, Sri Lanka players have taken the field. Followed by Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq who walk out to open for Pakistan. It will be Asitha Fernando to start with the new ball.

... Fourth innings ...

It looked like Pakistan lost a trick or two with the ball after an impressive start and now they find themselves in the position to hunt down a record chase to win the series. 5 of the 7 bowlers got into the wickets column although they could not pick the wickets in regular intervals to get their noses in front. Pakistan chased down 342 last time around but will they be able to better their previous performance? Or will this steep chase play with their minds and put them on the back foot? To find out, stick around as we get back for the chase shortly.

Right then. As expected Sri Lanka have decided to declare their innings as soon as they cross the 500-run mark. It was Dhananjaya de Silva who stood out with the blade for the side with his incredible ton. The hosts were off to a sedated start with the blade, as they were teetering on 117/5. Then it was a stand of 126 runs between Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva which took their side to safer shores, both racked up their fifties but the former slipped out on 61. De Silva though went on to make his century. Later, Mendis added salt to the wounds with his brisk innings of 45 runs and took the lead to 507 runs. This number will sure have its effect on the opposition.

NO BALL AND RUN OUT! Dhananjaya de Silva gets run-out and there's the signal from Dimuth Karunaratne of the declaration. Naseem Shah bowls it on middle and Ramesh Mendis just flicks it to short mid-wicket. Both batters set off for the single but Mendis pulls out halfway through the run. Dhananjaya de Silva is left stranded in the middle as Yasir Shah hits the bullseye at the non-striker's end. An unfortunate end to a brilliant innings from DDS but Sri Lanka have declared on 360/8 whilst having a mammoth lead of 507 runs.

Full and outside off, this is driven towards wide mid off for a run.

Length again, around middle, Mendis fends it away onto the leg side and scampers through for one.

Naseem Shah angles this one into the pads. Ramesh Mendis takes his eyes off the ball as he swings across the line and misses. Mendis gets hit high on the pads. A huge appeal for LBW and the bowler seems very interested but it is not given. Babar Azam does go for the review in the end. UltraEdge is checked first and there is a flat line as the ball passes the bat. The Ball Tracking shows that the impact is in line but the ball is just clipping leg stump, the original decision stands on umpire's call.

FOUR! Heaved away! This is pitched up around middle, Ramesh Mendis throws his hands at it but doesn't quite get the connection. Mendis still manages to get it through mid on mid-wicket for another boundary.

Full and straight to start with from Naseem Shah and this is flicked to wide mid on for a quick single. The lead is now exactly 500, a huge psychological advantage from Sri Lanka's point of view.

No sign of declaration yet. Maybe they are waiting to get a lead of 500 runs which is just a run short at the moment. It looks like this could be the last over, as Dimuth Karunaratne signals his batters on the field.

Length again, around middle, Mendis keeps it out on the leg side.

Prabath Jayasuriya is seen to removing his pads in the dressing room. It looks like the declaration is not far away.

Around the top of off, nudged away towards mid on.

On a good length, around off, this is left alone for the keeper to collect.

FOUR! A hat-trick of boundaries and the lead now moves to 499 runs! Length, outside off, Mendis just opens the face of the bat and steers it into the vacant third man fence.

FOUR! Crunched! Ali overcompensates and digs it in short and around off, Ramesh Mendis pulls it with disdain and into the mid-wicket fence. No chance for the fielder over there running to his left.

FOUR! Wow! Ramesh Mendis doesn't care about the new ball and plays a lovely shot first up. Hasan Ali serves a half-volley on middle and leg, Mendis flicks it nonchalantly well in front of mid-wicket and picks up a boundary.

The second new ball has not been taken yet. Its been due since the last 10 overs. Well, finally Pakistan do take the second new ball. It also gets Hasan Ali back into the attack. Can he break this stand which is taking the game away from them?

Tossed up full and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva skips down the track and drills it past covers for a couple of runs. 8 runs from the over.