Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test heading towards draw

ABU DHABI: Kumar Sangakkara compiled his eighth double hundred in Test cricket and with able support from Prasanna Jayawardene took Sri Lanka closer to salvaging a draw on the final day of the opening test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Jayawardene (110 not out) and Rangana Herath (nought) were the batsmen at the crease at tea as Sri Lanka reached 434 for six, a lead of 120.

Sangakkara (211) and Jayawardene, both unbeaten overnight, batted resolutely to add 201 for the sixth-wicket as Pakistan were left to rue Friday's dropped chances.

Stylish left-hander Sangakkara, who was dropped on 56 by Younis Khan off Mohammad Hafeez, got past the 200-run mark with a glance to the fine leg boundary.

The former Sri Lanka captain, who also survived a run-out chance on 190, hit 18 boundaries during his 431-ball knock, before he fell lbw in the last over before tea to give part-time legspinner Azhar Ali his first Test wicket.

Jayawardene, who also received a life on Friday when substitute fielder Wahab Riaz put down an easy catch off Umar Gul, completed his fourth test hundred with a lofted drive over spinner Saeed Ajmal's head.

The Pakistan pacemen managed to extract a bit of reverse swing with the old ball in dry conditions at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and troubled the batsmen but failed to make any
breakthroughs.

Pakistan are playing their three-Test "home" series in the Gulf region because of security fears in their own country.