2nd Test: Dilshan, Sangakkara lift gloom with tons

Pakistan hit back late but rain-hit match heads towards draw.

COLOMBO: Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara smashed successive centuries against Pakistan to light up the second Test in Colombo yesterday.

The hosts, replying to Pakistan’s first innings total of 551 for six declared, took their overnight score of 70 for one to 278 for five by stumps on the fourth day. Dilshan scored 121 and Sangakkara was unbeaten on 144 as the pair put on 225 runs for the second wicket after opener Tharanga Paranavitana fell for zero on Monday.

Pakistan grabbed four wickets in the final session to leave Sri Lanka still needing 74 more runs to save the follow-on on the last day. But a draw appears likely as rain once again wiped off two hours of play in the post-lunch session after bad weather on the previous two days restricted the bowlers to only 71 of the stipulated 180 overs. More rain has been forecast for the final day today.

Left-handed Sangakkara surpassed Australian legend Don Bradman’s tally of 29 centuries with his ton.

When Sangakkara reached 60, he became the highest run-getter against Pakistan, surpassing Indian great Sunil Gavaskar’s tally of 2,089 runs from 24 Tests.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2012.