Karunaratne misses double ton but SL in command against Pakistan

Visitors 355-4 at tea on day two of the second Test against Pakistan

DUBAI: Opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored a career best 196 to guide Sri Lanka to an imposing 482 in their first innings of the second and final day-night Test in Dubai on Saturday.

Karunaratne missed his double hundred by four runs in a marathon nine hour stay at the crease on the second day of the Test before he unluckily played onto leg-spinner Yasir Shah just before dinner.

Shah took 6-184 in a marathon 55.5 overs of hard work and toil on a flat Dubai stadium pitch.

Pakistan trail by 1-0 in the series after they lost the first Test by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi.

Karunaratne added 146 with skipper Dinesh Chandimal (62) for the fourth wicket before another 88 was put on for the fifth between him and Niroshan Dickwella, who made a rapid 52.

As if that was not enough, Karunaratne put on 59 for the sixth wicket with Dilruwan Perera who scored a polished 58.

Karunaratne hit 19 boundaries and a six, improving on his previous best Test score of 186 made against the West Indies at Galle two years ago.

When on 143 he brought up his 3,000th run in his 44th Test.

To add to Pakistan's woes, pace spearhead Mohammad Amir walked off the field after a recurring shin injury sustained late on Friday. He managed to bowl just three overs in the day.

At tea

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne continued his demolition of Pakistani bowlers to take Sri Lanka to 355-4 at tea on the second day of the second and final Test in Dubai on Saturday.

Karunaratne was unbeaten on a solid 170 for his seventh Test hundred, alongside Niroshan Dickwella on 47 not out, as Sri Lanka added 101 runs after resuming at overnight total of 254-3.

That gives Sri Lanka a strong position to force a series win after winning the first Test by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi.

Karunaratne, who resumed at 133, batted with full authority and added 146 for the fourth wicket with skipper Dinesh Chandimal who was the only batsman out in the day for 62.

Karunaratne, who has so far hit 18 boundaries and a six during his 491-minute knock, added another 73 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket stand with Dickwella.

Sri Lankan batting has put Pakistan under submission as their bowlers toiled hard on an unyielding Dubai stadium pitch.

To add to Pakistan's woes pace spearhead Mohammad Amir walked off the field after a recurring shin injury sustained late on Friday. He managed to bowl just three overs in the day.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah is the pick of the bowlers with 3-120.