The third and final Test being played in Pallekele from Sunday will determine whether Pakistan are able to maintain their unbeaten record or if they lose their first test series in almost two years.
Sri Lanka, their opponents, currently have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after rain spoiled the Colombo test.
The last series defeat for Pakistan was against England in 2010, on that ill-fated tour where spot-fixing scandal came to the fore.
They have not lost a series ever since, under resolute captaincy of Misbah ul Haq. Misbah himself would not be entirely to blame should they lose this series, as he was banned for an over-rate offence and did not play in the heavy defeat suffered in the first test match.
The team did reasonably better in the second test match, but rain came in their way as they look to press for a win. There were positives nevertheless, with [[Mohammad Hafeez] returning to form and also Azhar Ali scoring a patient century.
The bowlers will have their work cut out in what is expected to be another flat track. Junaid Khan has now picked up a couple of five-wicket hauls and that should give them a boost to do well in this crucial, must-win Test match.
For Sri Lanka, it will be a rare series-win as they have generally struggled since the World Cup last year. They will feel confident going into the match as they were firm in defiance in reply to Pakistan’s commanding total in the second test. Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan scored centuries and denied any chances of a Pakistan win.
Sangakkara missed out on another double-century, this time being dismissed for 192. However, his performance earned him enough points to dispose West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul off the top spot in ICC’s test batsmen rankings.
The two matches played previously at this ground have ended in draws so Pakistan face an uphill challenge to level the series.