Colombo, July 7 : Pakistan's captain Misbah-ul-Haq hopes to deny Sri Lanka a series victory when it takes on the hosts in the third and final Test in Pallekele tomorrow.

Sri Lanka, which won the first Test in Galle and drew the second in Colombo, has its best chance of winning a series since defeating New Zealand 2-0 at home in 2009.

But Pakistan has been boosted by a good display with both bat and ball in the rain-hit second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

"If the weather had not intervened, we could have pushed for a result. But everyone is encouraged by the way we played the second Test. Hopefully, we can repeat that performance in the final Test and draw the series," said Misbah.

The batters performed with Mohammad Hafeez making 196 and Azhar Ali 157 in the first innings total of 6-551 after Sri Lanka surprisingly chose to field after winning the toss, The Daily Times reports.

Pakistan then dismissed the hosts for 391, grabbing the last five wickets for 21 runs, after centuries from Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan had taken Sri Lanka to a comfortable 1-236.

But there was no time to force a result after bad weather allowed just 71 overs to be bowled on the second and third days. (ANI)