Galle, Aug. 8 : Replying to Pakistan's mammoth first innings total of 451 all out, Sri Lanka replied strongly, losing only two wickets for 252 runs.

At the start of the day Sri Lanka were trailing Pakistan by 352 runs having lost their first wicket on day two of the match. Now they are 199 runs adrift of the visitors.

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene remained unbeaten on their individual scores of 102 and 55 respectively. Both have been former captains for Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed caught Kaushal Silva for his individual score of 64 off fast-medium bowler Mohammad Talha's delivery.

On a day that was frequented with rain showers and bad weather the hosts faced a total of 80 overs in which they brought up their total to 252 for the loss of two wickets.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene will open the batting for the host side when the match resumes on day four at Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka. (ANI)