Pakistan post-lunch queer collapse puts Sri Lanka in command

A match of wildly fluctuating fortunes took another incredible turn in the afternoon session as Pakistan, cruising at 294 for 2 at lunch, collapsed in a heap to be bundled out for 320, losing their last nine wickets for 35 to leave Sri Lanka a target of 171 to wrap up their first home series win against Pakistan.

There was no indication of such a monumental shift in momentum when the teams went in to lunch - the pitch was flat, offering little assistance for pace or spin. All that changed, though, when Kumar Sangakkara took the second new ball immediately after lunch. Surprisingly, it was Rangana Herath who took it, and equally surprisingly, he struck immediately, removing Yousuf with his second ball. That triggered off a spectacular collapse, as seven more wickets fell in the next 92 deliveries.

Nuwan Kulasekara had struggled for seam and swing in the first 80 overs, but armed with the second new ball in overcast conditions, he suddenly obtained exaggerated inswing, trapping four batsmen lbw. Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal all got their front foot too far across, though Misbah was unfortunate as the ball seemed to be missing leg stump.

Is it all lost or any scope still left for optimism?