Lahore, Mar 01: Kumar Sangakkara (104) and Thilan Samaraweera (133 unbeaten) cracked centuries to put Sri Lanka in a strong position after early lapses on the opening day of the second and final cricket Test against Pakistan here on Sunday.
The duo shared a 204-run stand for the fourth wicket to help their team end the day at 317 for four after sent in to bat.
Sangakkara departed at the fag end of the day when Yasir Arafat had him caught behind.
The Lankan stumper batted with patience, facing 210 balls and hitting eight boundaries in his 334 minute stay at the crease.
Samaraweera batted beautifully for his 133-run knock, adorned with 19 boundaries.
Pakistan pacer Umar Gul was the most successful bowler with his three wickets.
Gul dismissed both the openers Malinda Warnapura (8) and Tharanga Paranavitana (21) to give Pakistan a good start. Samaraweera, who hit a double hundred in the first Test, along with Sangakkara took the responsibility to steady the rocking boat and came out triumphant as their team was tottering at 97 for three at one stage.
It was Gul, who drew the first blood when he dismissed Warnapure as early as in the fifth over of the match when Misbah-ul-Haq took a brilliant catch in the slip region.
Gul dealt another blow to the visitors when he had Paranavitana caught at gully by former skipper Shoaib Malik, leaving visitors struggling 35 for two.
Lankan skipper Mahlea Jayawardene joined Sangakkara in the middle and ensured their innings do not suffer any more damage and the two added 61-runs for the third wicket.
Jayawardene scored 30 off 61 balls before becoming third victim of Gul, who had him caught behind just at the start of the second session.
Sangakkara was lucky to score his 17th century as he survived a caught behind appeal early in his innings and was later dropped by Faisal Iqbal off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.
The first Test was a dull draw, played on a life-less pitch at national stadium in Karachi.
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