PALLEKELE: Asad Shafiq’s unbeaten century was enough for Pakistan to save the third Test versus Sri Lanka, but the hosts still won their first Test series in three years thanks to their win in the first match of the series.

The hosts made a brave bid to chase down a target of 270, reaching 132/2 by tea on the fifth day, before they were pegged back by a three-wicket burst from off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

The 1-0 scoreline – following a 209-run victory in the first Test in Galle – was Sri Lanka’s first Test series win since beating New Zealand 2-0 at home in 2009.

“A lot of hard work has gone into this series win,” said Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene. “It’s not that we did not play good cricket earlier, but somehow the results did not show that.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said he was surprised when Sri Lanka abandoned the chase, but conceded that getting 270 runs in 71 overs would not have been easy.

“I thought we were safe when we gave them a big target, but they started really well and it got us worried a bit,” he said. “But I was surprised when they gave up in the end.”

Sangakkara, with nearly 500 runs in three Tests, was named Man-of-the-Sereies, while Shafiq was Man-of-the-Match. (AFP)