Sri Lanka set Pakistan 458 to win first test

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Mar 29 (Reuters) Kumar Sangakkara scored 185 before Sri Lanka declared their innings closed, setting Pakistan an unlikely winning target of 458 on the fourth afternoon of the first test 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, leaving Pakistan an awkward 35-minute spell to survive up until the tea interval.

The tourists managed to navigate the tricky session and reached 17-0 at the break.

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 has grown increasingly placid, left Pakistan needing to score a world record to win or bat for over four sessions to secure a draw.

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 add a further 144 during a hot afternoon.

Sangakkara eventually departed as he searched for quick runs prior to 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 on April 3.

REUTERS PM BST1535