Shan Masood and Younis Khan compiled unbeaten centuries to keep Pakistan in the hunt for a landmark victory in the series-deciding third and final Test against

Sri Lanka on Monday.

Set a challenging target of 377 runs, the tourists recoverd from a shaky 13-2 to move to 2 30 without further loss by stumps on the rain-free fourth day in Pallekele.

Masood, the five-Test old left-hander, was unbeaten on 114, having reached his maiden century by lofting off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal for a six over long-on towards the end of play.

Younis, who made his 100th Test appearance in the second match of the series, got to his 30th century in the day's last over. The pair has put on 217 so far for the third wicket with Younis on 101.

Pakistan will enter the final day's play on Tuesday needing a further 147 runs with

eight wickets in hand on a wearing, but easypaced pitch at the Pallekele International Stadium.

If Pakistan win, it will be the first time a visiting team will have scored more than 300 runs in the fourth innings to win a Test on Sri Lankan soil.

Pakistan's highest successful chase is 314 runs they made against Australia to win the Karachi Test way back in 1994.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's captain Angelo Mathews was last man out for 122 as the hosts took their overnight score of 228-5 to 313 before they were all out at the stroke oflunch.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SR! LANKA: First innings 278

PAKISTAN: First innings 215

SRI LANKA: Second innings 313 all out (Tharanga 48, Mathews 122, Mubarak 35, Chandimal 67; Rahat 2-82, Imran 5-58, Yasir 2-80)

PAKISTAN: Second innings 230 for 2 (Masood 114 not out, Younis 101 not out; Prasad 1-42, Lakmal 1-34)