Pakistan completed their highest run-chase to secure a remarkable series triumph over Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

Needing 377 to win the decisive third Test, the tourists did much of the hard work on Monday and returned on the final day to finish the job - Younis Khan reaching 171 not out to set a new record for Pakistan's highest individual fourth-innings score.

The result, which seemed unlikely after a first-innings total of 215 for the visiting side, seals a 2-1 series win for Pakistan.

Having resumed on Tuesday still 147 runs adrift, Pakistan had the relative comfort of eight wickets in hand, while Younis and Shan Masood's presence at the crease had frustrated Sri Lanka for much of the previous day.

Both reached their centuries on Monday and, though Masood only added 11 to his total to finish on 125, his contribution had gone a long way to setting up victory.

Having survived a big caught-behind appeal off the bowling of Angelo Mathews (0-34) early on, the left-hander was out stumped in spinner Tharindu Kaushal's (1-153) first over of the day.

If Sri Lanka were hoping the wicket would prompt a shift in momentum, opposition captain Misbah-ul-Haq (59 not out) had other ideas.

Quickly settling in the middle, Misbah patiently partnered Younis on his way to a landmark fourth-innings tally, but only after the latter had emerged unscathed from a review in the 87th over, while on 128.

Dhammika Prasad (1-65) thought he had finally got his man lbw, but the on-field umpire's not-out call remained after projections suggested the ball was only clipping the top of middle and off.

Younis' record was achieved in the 98th over as he surpassed the 155 set by Saleem Malik in Sri Lanka back in 1997, while Misbah's half-century arrived five overs later - a four bringing up the mark in style.

There was one final flourish to come from the veteran, who finished the match with a huge six over long-on from the first ball of the next over - a blow that sends Pakistan up to third in the ICC Test rankings.