Younis Khan and Imran Farhat [Images] each scored half-centuries to lead Pakistan to a series-clinching eight-wicket victory on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka [Images] in Kandy on Wednesday.

Vice-captain Khan scored a commanding unbeaten 73 from just 98 balls, crashing 12 boundaries, while opener Farhat hit 11 fours in his similarly positive 65.

The pair combined to add 114 runs for the second wicket that carried the game away from the hosts, who had earlier been bowled out for just 73 in 24.5 overs, their second lowest total against Pakistan.

Sri Lanka's second innings collapse had still left Pakistan chasing a potentially tricky 183 target after 28 wickets had tumbled on the first two days.

But the difficult pitch eased on a hot, clear day in the hill-country capital and Sri Lanka bowled poorly, providing the tourists with too many scoring opportunities.

Fast bowler Farveez Maharoof, struggling with a flu bug, was uncharacteristically loose and Pakistan seized the early momentum with a brisk 38-run opening stand.

Lasith Malinga [Images] made the breakthrough soon after being introduced, getting opener Kamran Akmal to edge behind, where wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara took a spectacular diving catch.

The host's were unlucky not to take any further wickets before lunch as several mistimed shots fell just short of fielders and off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan had two very close lbw shouts against Farhat turned down.

RAISED TEMPO

Pakistan went into lunch on 90-1 and raised the tempo soon afterwards as Khan and Farhat raced to their fifties.

By the time Farhat edged a Nuwan Kulasekera delivery to first slip, Pakistan were just 31 runs short of victory, leaving Khan and Mohammad Yousuf [Images] (14 not out) to reach the target midway through the afternoon session.

Before play began, Sri Lanka abandoned faint hopes that Sanath Jayasuriya [Images] would be able to bat with the aid of painkillers after dislocating his right thumb on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old, playing in his farewell test, was too badly injured to consider batting in the second innings.

Resuming on 73-8, Sri Lanka were then bowled out with the first ball of the day as Muralitharan slogged a catch mid on.

Pakistan all rounder Abdul Razzaq [Images] finished with 4-20 from 6.5 overs and man of the match Mohammad Asif [Images] finished with match figures of 11-71.

The teams battled to a draw in last week's first Test in Colombo.

Scorecard

Sri Lanka (1st innings): 279

Pakistan (1st innings): 170

Sri Lanka (2nd innings): (overnight 73-8):
 U Tharanga b Asif 12
K Sangakkara b Asif 16
M Jayawardene b Razzaq 15
T Samaraweera b Asif 4
T Dilshan c Akmal b Asif 11
F Maharoof lbw b Asif 1
M Bandara c Akmal b Razzaq 4
N Kulasekara c Gul b Razzaq 6
L Malinga not out 0
M Muralitharan c Gul b Razzaq 0
S Jayasuriya absent injured
Extras: (lb3, w1) 4
Total: (all out in 24.5 overs) 73

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-40, 3-46, 4-56, 5-57, 6-65, 7-72, 8-73, 9-73.

Bowling: Asif 12-6-27-5, Anjum 3-1-8-0, Gul 3-0-15-0, Razzaq 6.5-1-20-4.

Pakistan (2nd innings): (target 183):
Imran Farhat not out 29
Kamran Akmal c Sangakkara b Malinga 24
Younis Khan not out 30
Extras: (lb3, nb4) 7
Total: (for 1 wicket in 25 overs) 90

Fall of wicket: 1-38.

Bowling: Maharoof 8-0-40-0, Kulasekara 8-3-17-0, Malinga 3-0-11-1, Muralitharan 6-2-19-0.