Thursday 18 June 2015 14:15, UK
Opener Kaushal Silva played the key innings as Sri Lanka reached 178-3 at stumps on day two of the weather-interrupted first Test against Pakistan at Galle.
The right-hander is on course for a second Test century after capitalising on an early escape to reach 80 not out, on a day when rain and bad light allowed just 64 overs of play.
Kumar Sangakkara helped Silva add 112 runs for the second wicket but was dismissed by Wahab Riaz (2-51) when he had reached exactly 50.
After rain had washed out nearly four sessions, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and decided to bowl.
And left-arm paceman Riaz was unlucky early on, having Dimuth Karunaratne caught in the slips off a no-ball and then looking on as Yasir Shah dropped Silva at backward point.
But Riaz then claimed the first wicket after an opening stand of 30 when Karunaratne (21) edged a pull and wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed took the catch.
Sangakkara came in to join Silva and hit the first ball he faced from Riaz to the boundary before he was peppered with short balls in the next over.
The patient Silva brought his 50 up from 122 balls and the duo put together a good stand before Sangakkara, having hit Zulfiqar Babar for six, edged Riaz to slip after reaching his 52nd Test half-century.
Lahiru Thirimanne (8) also fell cheaply, caught at mid-on by Babar off Mohammad Hafeez as he looked to attack, but Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews (10 not out) helped Silva to add an unbroken 24 for the fourth wicket prior to the close.
