Veteran Kumar Sangakkara hit a 200-plus score for the 10th time to light up the fourth day’s play in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle on Saturday.

The prolific left-hander made 221 as the hosts declared their first innings at 533-9 shortly before stumps, a lead of 82 runs over Pakistan’s total of 451.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath then had opener Khurram Manzoor caught behind for three to reduce the tourists to 4-1 in six overs before the close.

Ahmed Shehzad was on one and nightwatchman Saeed Ajmal had yet to score when stumps were drawn, leaving Pakistan the task of batting out the final day to draw the opening encounter of the two-match series.

Sangakkara, second only behind Australian legend Don Bradman’s tally of 12 scores of more than 200, took advantage of the easy-paced wicket to toy with the Pakistan attack for nearly 12 hours.

He fell in the post-tea session, stumped off spinner Abdur Rehman trying to pick up the scoring rate in the company of tailenders.

“I think everyone is second to the Don,” said Sangakkara. “I am pretty happy that I am two double-hundreds behind him because that is probably the only way I can even get close to reaching him.

“It was quite a bit of hard work out there, and also a little bit of luck. But this game is not over yet. We need to get nine wickets. Our responsibility will be to make the batsman play as much as we can.” (The Express Tribune)