5.03 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Day 3: Lanka 252-2 at close, trail by 199

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Kumar Sangakkara struck his 37th Test hundred as he and his retiring team mate Mahela Jayawardene powered Sri Lanka to 252 for two wickets before rain washed out the final session on day three of the first Test against Pakistan on Friday.

In reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 451, Sri Lanka were cruising when rain forced an early tea and a subsequent heavy downpour ensured not another delivery was bowled at the water-logged Galle International Stadium.

Sangakkara remained unbeaten on 102 off 218 balls, having hit 13 fours in his 10th century against Pakistan while Jayawardene was batting on 55.

The pair have added 108 runs for the third wicket, the 18th century partnership between them, with the hosts still trailing Pakistan by 199 runs.

TEA

Kumar Sangakkara struck his 37th Test hundred as he and his retiring team mate Mahela Jayawardene pushed Sri Lanka closer towards Pakistan's first innings total of 451 on the third day of the second test on Friday.

The hosts cruised to 252 for two wickets, still trailing Pakistan by 199 runs, when rain forced tea six minutes before the scheduled break.

Sangakkara's unbeaten 102, off 218 balls with 13 fours in it, was his 10th century against Pakistan while Jayawardene was batting on 55.

The pair have added 108 runs for the third wicket, the 18th century partnership between them.

Sangakkara brought up his century shortly before the break with a cut through point off left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman for four as he and Jayawardene denied Pakistan any success in the rain-shortened afternoon session that allowed only 85 minutes of play.

Both the batsmen survived lbw appeals through the review system.

Jayawardene, on 11, did not offer a stroke to a ball from Junaid Khan and was given out by the umpire but after he called for a review the replays showed the ball was missing the off stump and he was given a reprieve.

Pakistan lost a review of an lbw decision against Sangakkara when he was on 62, also off Junaid, where the point of impact was outside the off stump.

The only wicket to fall in the morning session was that of opener Kaushal Silva, who was out for 64 off 140 balls with 11 fours in his compact innings.

Silva shared a 120-run stand with Sangakkara but was out to Mohammad Talha when he got a thick edge to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who dived forward to hold a fine catch.

Jayawardene, playing his final test at this venue, walked out to an explosion of firecrackers and guard of honour given by local schoolboys.

He got off the mark with a single and off the third ball square drove Ajmal for four to signal his positive intentions.

Bad light stops play but that's early tea as well. It's a great partnership from the veterans as they put on a century stand. SL 252-2 in 80 overs.

A fine boundary as Sangakkara achieves his 37th Test century and his 10th against Pakistan. SL 252-2 in 80 overs.

It's drinks break as Sangakkara reaches 94 and Jayawardene is on 55.

LUNCH

Sri Lanka are 174-2 at in 60 overs at lunch.

Pakistan are unsuccessful with a decision review after Sangakkara was adjudged not out following a leg before appeal off Junaid. SL 167-2.

Mahela survives after successfully overturning a leg before verdict off Junaid. SL 164-2.

Sangakkara pulls Talha to fine leg for yet another boundary. SL 156-2.

Mahela is up and running by smacking Ajmal through the covers for a boundary. SL 151-2.

Talha strikes as Silva gets a thick outside edge for Sarfraz to take a tumbling catch on his second attempt. SL 144-2 in 47 overs.

Kaushal Silva c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Talha 64 (140b 11x4 0x6)

Silva slams Ajmal for consecutive boundaries on the off. SL 143-1.

Sangakkara reaches his 51st Test half century in style by cutting Talha for a boundary. SL 133-1.

The 100-run partnership for the second wicket between Silva and Sangakkara comes up. SL 124-1.Silva pulls another short ball from Junaid to midwicket for a couple to complete his sixth Test half century.

Silva also gets a boundary off Junaid crashing through the covers. SL 114-1.

Sangakkara hits the first boundaary of the morning steering Junaid through backward point. SL 107-1.

SECOND DAY RECAP

Sri Lanka recovered from losing opener Upul Tharanga to reach 99 for one in reply to Pakistan's 451 at the close on the second day of the first Test on Thursday.

Kaushal Silva (38) and Kumar Sangakkara (36) added 75 after Tharanga fell lbw to Junaid Khan for 19.

Sri Lanka off-spinner Dilruwan Perera took the last five Pakistan wickets as the tourists were finally dismissed for 451 in their first innings, anchored by a magnificent 177 from Younus Khan.