Pakistan will look to press on the advantage gained by two quickfire Sri Lanka wickets on the opening day, when play resumes on Day 2 of the third Test match in Sharjah.
Where to Watch Live
The second day is scheduled for a 11.30 am IST start with live coverage on Sony Six in India. The match starts at 11 am in Pakistan with live coverage provided by Geo Super. The match can also be watched via live streaming in Pakistan HERE. Catch the action in the US HERE, while Africa viewers can live stream the match HERE. The second day's action can be live streamed online in Sri Lanka HERE.
While the first two matches have not been exactly spin-friendly conditions, there is little doubt that it will be the tweakers who will dictate proceedings in Sharjah, with the pitch already showing signs of turn in the final session of the opening day.
Saeed Ajmal, who has been unable to live up to expectations in the first two Test matches, seemed to enjoy bowling on this pitch a lot more, picking up Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal to put Sri Lanka on 220 for five at the close of play on day one.
"The pitch is pretty flat and we have to very work hard," fellow Pakistan spinner Abdur Rehman, who picked up opener Dimuth Karunaratne, said. "It didn't turn much in the first two sessions but after that, it started to turn and I am hoping to get more turn in the third and fourth innings.
"Our bowlers were able to control the runs well. Our plan is to get them as soon as possible in first two hours and give them a tough time. It's not easy to play strokes, the batsmen need more time to settle in. We are aiming to take a hefty lead to support the bowlers in the third innings."
Angelo Mathews (24 n.o. in 90) and wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (28 n.o. in 60) dug in during the final session to ensure no more damage would be done, and the duo will begin their quest to push Sri Lanka past 300 come Day 2.
"The pitch we have in Galle is similar to here," Karunaratne said. "That wicket gives a lot of turn as well. We have played on a lot of spinning wickets in Sri Lanka, so it's not a surprise for us.
"When you compare with the Abu Dhabi and Dubai wicket, it's drier here. I think it's not too dangerous when the fast bowlers are bowling, but the spinners aren't too dangerous yet either. For now, we are looking at 300 plus, and beyond that it's a bonus."
Sri Lanka only managed a run rate of 2.44 per over on day one, and Karunaratne was not too perturbed by the slow nature of his side's innings. "I think the outfield is slow as well," he added. "We needed to get some confidence on that track because it spins a bit and it's slow. That is why we have got 220 in the first day."
