Oshada Fernando struck a half-century to help Sri Lanka regain lost ground after losing an early wicket against Pakistan on day three of a keenly contested first Test on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts reached 132 for two at lunch in their second innings to extend their lead to 136 in Galle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka resumed the day on 36-1. Nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha, who added four to his overnight three, was the first to go when left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz trapped him lbw in the second over of the morning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Oshada (64) held firm, putting on 91 runs with Kusal Mendis (45) to deny Pakistan any more wickets in the session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was Oshada's sixth Test fifty, scored on a pitch that is expected to aid slow bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Oshada and Kusal had the right mix of caution and aggression, hitting 11 boundaries between them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya had claimed five wickets on Sunday before Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hit 119 to lead the fightback from a precarious 85-7.<\/p>\r\n\r\n