Silva, Sangakkara steer Sri Lanka to a solid position in Galle

Sangakkara made a patient 50

After rain played spoiled sport on the first day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle, the second day was slightly better (26 overs were lost). Pakistan’s Captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and decided to bowl first. D Karunaratne and K Silva opened the batting for Sri Lanka against the pace of Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan. Sri Lanka lost their first wicket at 30, after Karunaratne 21(42), was caught behind off a sharp bouncer from Riaz.

Sangakkara was next to the crease who along with Silva developed a partnership of 112 runs, and steadied Sri Lanka’s ship. However, the partnership was curtailed after Sangakkara was caught at slip by Younis Khan off the bowling of Wahab Riaz but not before scoring his fifty in 103 balls at a strike rate of 47.16.

Next in line was Thirimanne, who was dismissed on the bowling of Mohammad Hafeez, after scoring just 8 runs in 17 balls, at a strike rate of 47.05. Captain Ajantha Matthews joined opener Silva on the crease during the last session of the day. The two remained unbeaten till the end of the day’s play, developing a partnership of 24 and steering Sri Lanka to a respectable 178-3.

With just three more days remaining, this Test could well head towards a draw.