Rain, Sangakara help Sri Lanka draw 2nd Test

Kumar Sangakkara drives on the off side

Colombo: Kumar Sangakara scored 192 runs to push the match towards a successful draw after Pakistan had surprisingly put a huge score on the board in the 2nd Test, with more than a day's worth of overs lost to rain, as Sri Lanka take a 1-0 lead in 3 match series.

Muhammad Hafeez (196) and Azhar Ali's (157) brilliant batting including their partnership of 287 runs in the first innings had guided Pakistan to 551-6 before declaring the innings.

In response, Dilshan (121) and Sangakara raised a partnership of 225 runs for the 2nd wicket. But after the departure of Dilshan, Pakistani bowlers claimed some quick wickets before Vice-captain Angelo Mathews provided some stability.

The Test was heavily affected by rain with four sessions lost. The fifth and final day began with Sri Lanka resuming their first innings on 278 for 5, still requiring 74 to avoid the follow-on.

Mathews and overnight batsman Kumar Sangakkara batted through the morning session adding 92 for the sixth wicket and reaching lunch on 367 for 5. Then Junaid Khan and Abdur Rehman teamed to pick up five wickets for 21 runs as Sri Lanka slumped to 391 all out.

Sangakkara missed out on a double hundred for a second successive game when he fell to the left-arm spin of Rehman shortly after lunch. Sangakkara batted serenely and on 192 attempted to work the ball on the legside but got a leading edge and was caught at short square leg.

Sangakkara faced 351 deliveries and hit 15 fours and a six for his 192. The left-hander also missed out on a double hundred in the first Test in Galle when he was left stranded on 199 as he ran out of partners.
Pakistan went for quick runs in their 18-over second innings but the target they left for Sri Lanka was improbable.

Pakistan declared their second innings an over after tea on 100 for 2, offering Sri Lanka just 37 overs to win. The home side took its time and reached 88 for 2 when the captains decided to call off the match with 15 overs remaining.

Sri Lanka lost openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (28) and Tharanga Paranavitana (32) in their second innings and were 88-2 when the captains shook hands. Sangakkara was unbeaten on 24 and Mahela Jayawardene was 1 not out.   Score Card