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Journalism of Courage
Kandy, June 29: Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya hit unbeaten centuries as they set a new first wicket record stand for Sri Lanka in the third and final cricket Test against Pakistan on Thursday.
Atapattu was unbeaten on 107 and Jayasuriya 148 as Sri Lanka went to lunch on the second day strongly placed at 267 for no loss at the Asgiriya International Stadium.
The partnership between Atapattu and Jayasuriya surpassed the previous highest opening stand by Sri Lanka against any country 159 between Sidath Wettimuny and Ravi Ratnayeke against India at Kanpur in 1986-87.
Jayasuriya, who began the day at 82, reached his sixth Test century in style, square cutting Waqar Younis to the point boundary for his eleventh four. He also had one six in his 211-ball century which took him 257 minutes.
Pakistan allowed him the luxury of three dropped chances after his century at 107, 132 and 140, which the left-hander made full use of to savage 15 boundaries and a six by lunch.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka (1st innings, overnight 140 for no loss): M Atapattu not out 139, S Jayasuriya c Younis b Razzaq 188, R Arnold not out 13; Extras (b10, lb6, w1, nb3) 20
Total (for one wicket at tea) 360
Fall of wicket: 1-335.
Bowling: Akram 19-6-28-0, Waqar 14-0-55-0, Arshad 38-3-106-0, Razzaq 22-8-47-1, Mushtaq 26-2-108-0.
