Jayasuriya, Atapattu in century stand

the Sri Lankan innings by completing his 16th fifty playing in his 50th Test match here at the Asgiriya International Stadium. During his knock, Jayasuriya completed 3,000 runs in Test cricket becoming only the third Sri Lankan to achieve that figure after Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga.

The left-hander whose previous highest score of the series was 32, cut and drove with his usual flair reaching his half-century off 127 balls with six fours. He had a reprieve at 50 when wicket-keeper Moin Khan missed him off Arshad Khan.

The Sri Lanka captain was harsh on leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed whom he hit for a six and a four through the on side in one over. Atapattu playing a steady innings, completed his third fifty of the series shortly before bad light brought a premature end to the day’s play with 8.4 overs yet to be bowled.

Atapattu faced 131 balls and hit four fours. He was lucky at 37 when Inzamam-ul-Haq at slip missed a low catch to his left off Wasim Akram. He also took two blows on the left side of his helmet when he misjudged deliveries from Wasim Akram for bouncers. On one occasion Atapattu had to change his helmet as the force of the blow left a dent and crack in the helmet.

Sri Lanka gave a first Test cap to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene who replaced the out of form Romesh Kaluwitharana. Pakistan lead the three-match series 2-0.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka (1st innings): Marvan Atapattu batting 50, Sanath Jayasuriya batting 82; Extras: (b4, lb2, w1, nb1) 8. Total: (for no loss, 53.2 overs) 140

Bowling: Akram 10-4-12-0, Waqar 6.2-0-25-0, Arshad 17-1-45-0, Razzaq 12-5-18-0 (1w, 1nb), Mushtaq 8-1-34-0.