Sangakkara hits ton in warm up

Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara tuned up for the first test against Pakistan with a century but Patron’s XI recorded a 112-run victory on the second day of the two-day warm-up match Wednesday.

The match was curtailed to 90-overs-a-side match - played over two days - and Sri Lanka finished at 283-5 at the Defence Stadium in reply to Patron’s XI innings of 395-4.

Sri Lanka began badly, losing opener Malinda Warnapura without a run on the scoreboard when he was trapped leg before wicket by fast bowler Fahad Masood.

His opening partner Tharanga Paranavitana (5) went soon after when paceman Wahab Riaz found an edge.

However, Sangakkara (100 not out) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (49) got useful practice ahead of Saturday’s first test as they batted for two hours and added 112 runs for the third wicket.

“We were just interested in some batting practice and four of our main batsmen were among the runs,” said Tillakaratne Dilshan, who could score only three before he was bowled by left-arm fast bowler Muhammad Khalil.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah broke the stand when Jayawardene, who hit four boundaries and two sixes, was caught at midwicket.

Sangakkara completed his century in four hours and hit 10 fours, then retired in order to give batting time to teammates.

Sri Lanka’s test regular Thilan Samaraweera (45) and wicketkeeper-batsman Prasanna Jaywardene (46 not out) benefited from time at the crease as the tourists elected not to pursue a run chase.

The first test will be played at Karachi’s National Stadium from Feb. 21-25. Lahore will host the second test from March 1-5.

Scores:

Patron’s XI first innings: 395-4 (Ahmed Shahzad 146 retired hurt, Azhar Ali 100, Shahid Afridi 49; Chaminda Vaas 1-27, Farveez Maharoof 1-30, Tillakaratne Dilshan 1-43, Ajantha Mendis 1-69);

Sri Lanka first innings: 283-5 (Kumar Sangakkara 100 retired out; Mahela Jayawardene 49; Mohammad Khalil 1-10, Wahab Riaz 1-33, Fahad Masood 1-35, Ahmed Shahzad 1-44).

KARACHI, Wednesday, AP