Sangakkara, Samaraweera Punish Pakistan

In the third over after lunch, Gul got Jayawardene to edge one low to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who did not spill the chance.

Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera struck centuries to lead Sri Lanka to a commanding 317 for four on the first day of the second test against Pakistan on Sunday.

The hosts ended their partnership of 204 with the second new ball when Sangakkara was caught behind for 104 off Yasir Arafat but Samaraweera was still unbeaten on 133 when bad light ended play 3.2 overs early.

Pakistan won the toss and seamer Umar Gul made early inroads, removing openers Malinda Warnapura (8) and Tharanga Paranavitana (21) and ending a 61-run stand between Sangakkara and captain Mahela Jayawardene (30).

The visitors were struggling on 96 for three but Samaraweera, who made 231 in the drawn first test in Karachi, and Sangakkara set about repairing the damage.

Sangakkara survived a dropped chance on 55 and a confident caught behind appeal on 35 and Pakistan also spilled Samaraweera, on 68. He went on to strike 19 fours in 255 minutes at the crease.

Sangakkara's 18th test century and fourth against Pakistan included eight fours.

"This pitch has more bounce and some pace and it is better to play your shots. So even though we lost three wickets it was just a matter of settling down for a long innings," said Sangakkara.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said his inexperienced seamers Arafat and Mohammad Talha had struggled.

"The pitch has bounce and some pace and although our bowlers did well, two of the pacers, Arafat and Talha lack experience," Intikhab said.

Pakistan looked in control in the first session when Gul had Warnapura caught at first slip by Misbah-ul-Haq and Malik took a sharp catch at gully to send Paranavitana packing to make it 35 for two.

Gul then had Jayawardene brilliantly caught by keeper Kamran Akmal.

Sri Lanka made 317 for four on the first day of the second test against Pakistan at the Gaddafi stadium on Sunday.

Scores: Sri Lanka 317-4 (Kumar Sangakkara 104; Thilan Samaraweera 133 not out. Umar Gul 3-67)

SCOREBOARD at close on the first day of the second test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Lahore on Sunday.

Sri Lanka first innings M. Warnapura c Misbah b Gul 8 N. Paranavitana c Malik b Gul 21 K. Sangakkara c Akmal b Arafat 104 M. Jayawardene c Akmal b Gul 30 T. Samaraweera not out 133 TM Dilshan not out 3

Extras (b-4, w-2, nb-12) 18

Total (for four wickets in 86.4 overs) 317

Fall of wicket: 1-16 2-35 3-96 4-300

To bat: P. Jayawardene, T. Thushara, D. Fernando, A.Mendis, M.Muralitharan

Bowling (to date): Gul 19.4-2-67-3 (nb-2, w-1), M. Talha 11-0-50-0 (w-1, 7-nb), Arafat 13-2-53-1 (nb-3), Kaneria 24-1-89-0, Malik 17-2-45-0, Younis 2-0-9-0