Sangakkara's 185 puts Pakistan on the rack

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Mar 29 (Reuters) Kumar Sangakkara scored 185 and spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed late wickets to push Sri Lanka towards victory in the first test against Pakistan today.

Sharing in important stands with Mahela Jayawardene (82) and Thilan Samaraweera (64), Sangakkara propelled Sri Lanka to 448 for five in their second innings, setting up an unlikely 458-run victory target.

Pakistan were 89 for two at the close of the fourth day.

The 28-year-old Sangakkara, who became the seventh Sri Lankan to score more than 4,000 test runs yesterday, cracked 23 boundaries during a ninth test century that spanned seven-and-a-half hours.

Sri Lanka's second innings run spree, on a pitch that grew increasingly placid for the pace bowlers but was offering turn for the spinners, left Pakistan needing to bat for more than four sessions to secure a draw.

The tourists' openers, drained after two long days fielding in Colombo's wet heat, started brightly with a 59-run stand either side of the tea interval.

Muralitharan, bowling unchanged for 14 overs after an initial attack with the new ball, struck in the final hour, however, to leave Pakistan precariously placed at the close.

Imran Farhat (34) was the first to depart as he edged to slip and then Younis Khan (eight) was cleaned bowled by a big off break as he tried to cut through the off side.

Shoaib Malik, dropped on 14 by Sangakkara behind the stumps, finished unbeaten on 30 and Faisal Iqbal was nine not out at stumps.

JAYAWARDENE CAUGHT Earlier, Sri Lanka avoided any major damage from the second new ball on the fourth morning as they added 111 runs in an extended 34-over session.

The one casualty of the morning was skipper Jayawardene, who top-edged an attempted hook off Mohammad Asif and was caught by Abdul Razzaq running in from the long leg boundary.

Asif's strike with the new ball ended a marathon 158-run partnership that allowed Sri Lanka to take complete control of the game.

Jayawardene's 139-ball innings was laced with 12 fours and one glorious straight six.

Sangakkara had been content to play the anchor role while Jayawardene attacked, but the loss of his captain encouraged him to adopt a more aggressive approach.

Samaraweera, fortunate to survive an lbw appeal off leg spinner Shahid Afridi early on, helped to add a further 144 during a hot afternoon.

Sangakkara eventually departed as he searched for quick runs before the declaration and skied a catch off spinner Shoaib Malik.

Sri Lanka then gave wicketkeeper Sangakkara 20 minutes to rest before declaring.

Fast bowler Asif was Pakistan's most successful bowler, claiming 2-71 from 23 overs.

The second and final test in the series starts in Kandy next Monday.

REUTHERS DH BST1825