| GEO Sports | | Sri Lanka reach 248-3 at tea in Karachi test | Updated at: 1513 PST, Saturday, February 21, 2009
 KARACHI: The Sri Lankan top order indulged themselves to reach 248 for 3 by tea on the opening day in first test against Pakistan here at National Stadium on Saturday.
Mahela Jayawardene presented a visual treat, Kumar Sangakkara offered the steady staple diet, and Malinda Warnapura thrilled with a breezy knock as Sri Lanka ensured they cashed in after winning the toss on a good batting track.
Earlier, Kumar Sangakkara and Malinda Warnapura hit half-centuries to help Sri Lanka reach 120-2 by lunch.
Sangakkara was unbeaten at the break on 51 with skipper Mahela Jayawardene on five not out after Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat on a flat pitch.
Warnapura earlier steadied the innings with a brisk 48-ball 59 to help his team recover from the early loss of debutant opener Tharanga Paranavitana, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck.
Pakistan's frontline paceman Umar Gul struck with the fourth ball of the innings when he forced left-hander Paranavitana to edge into the slip where Misbah-ul-Haq took a smart catch.
Warnapura and Sangakkara added 90 for the second wicket before first-change Yasir Arafat provided the breakthrough. Warnapura, who hit nine boundaries, edged Arafat to Haq who held a low catch in the slip. |  |
|
