2nd Test: Sangakkara lifts Sri Lanka with 34th century

Tourists end day one against Bangladesh at 314 for five in Chittagong.

CHITTAGONG: Kumar Sangakkara became the leading century-maker among active Test players as Sri Lanka bounced back strongly after a shaky start in the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Tuesday.

The tourists, who won the first Test by an innings and 248 runs in Dhaka last week, recovered from 49 for two to a comfortable 314 for five by stumps on the opening day.

Sangakkara was unbeaten on 160, his 34th Test hundred that drew him level with retired Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara in the all-time list of century-makers.

The left-handed batsman followed his 75 in the first Test with an impressive innings that has so far contained 19 boundaries and three sixes.

Mahela Jayawardene continued his good form with 72 to help Sangakkara put on 178 for the third wicket.

Shakib Al Hasan removed Dinesh Chandimal and skipper Angelo Mathews before stumps as Sri Lanka slipped from 227 for two to 312 for five, but were still in a good position after the opening day’s play.

Chandimal said Sangakkara and Jayawardene were an inspiration for the entire team.

“They are wily old foxes and an inspiration for all,” he said.

“We can learn so much from them. They work hard during practice and they always talk about cricket even when they are off the field.

“This is not an easy wicket to bat on because the ball came really slow off it. It is important that when you get set, you definitely have to bat throughout the innings. And that is what Sangakkara did.

“We have to get as many runs as possible, because batting will be difficult in these conditions later.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2014.

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