kumarABU DHABI: Kumar Sangakkara neared his eighth double hundred in tests and with Prasanna Jayawardene brightened Sri Lanka's chances of salvaging a draw on the final day of the opening test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

Sangakkara (185) and Jayawardene (66), both unbeaten overnight, batted resolutely to take Sri Lanka to 364 runs for five wickets at lunch on Saturday, a lead of 50 runs.

The duo added 131 runs for the unbroken sixth-wicket partnership 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, has so far hit 17 boundaries during his 370-ball stay at the wicket.

Jayawardene was also given a life on Friday when substitute fielder Wahab Riaz put down an easy catch off Umar Gul at short mid-wicket.

Pakistan are playing "home" tests in the Gulf region because of security fears in their own country. The match is the first in a three-test series.

Copyright Reuters, 2011

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