Dinesh Chandimal hit an unbeaten hundred to help Sri Lanka post a big 419-run total on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The Sri Lankan skipper remained undefeated on a punishing 155 to lift Sri Lanka from positions of 61-3 and an overnight 227-4 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
He batted for a mammoth 546 minutes, faced 372 balls and smashed 14 boundaries to leave Pakistan’s pace-cum-spin attack frustrated on an unresponsive pitch.
Chandimal added 134 for the fifth wicket with Niroshan Dickwella, who made a career-best 83, before frustrating Pakistan further with a 92-run stand for the sixth wicket with Dilruwan Perera, who made 33.
The Chandimal-Dickwella stand was only broken in the 22nd over of the day when Dickwella played on to fast bowler Hasan Ali, spurning a good chance to post his maiden hundred.
Dickwella hit nine boundaries and a six during his rapid, 117-ball knock.
Chandimal reached his ninth Test century — his first in four Tests as captain, and first against Pakistan — by driving fast bowler Mohammad Amir through the covers for his 11th boundary.
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah posted 3-120 and fast bowler Mohammad Abbas fetched 3-75.
