Dilshan helps SL amass 606

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LAHORE, Mar 2 (Cricinfo): Umar Gul produced a sparkling spell of reverse swing and Pakistan's aggressive openers got off to a flying start but the pressure was still on the home side after Sri Lanka reached 606 in their first innings at Lahore. Thilan Samaraweera hit his second double hundred of the series and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit his first century before Salman Butt was run out just before close to ensure Sri Lanka retained their firm grip on the game.

If Sri Lanka thought they could sit back after their mammoth total, though, they were in for a shock. Pakistan started like an express train as Khurram Manzoor and Butt shredded the bowling. The bad deliveries were put away and the pair also created run-scoring opportunities against perfectly acceptable deliveries. With both Thilan Thushara and Dilhara Fernando bowling short of a length, Butt repeatedly cut while Manzoor punched through the off side.

Manzoor has already patented a shot of his own in his brief international career. Against deliveries a tad short of length, he hops to get on top of the bounce and clouts the ball through covers. Mahela Jayawardene was forced to bring on Ajantha Mendis as early as the sixth over. Manzoor struggled against spin in the first Test but handled Mendis and Muralitharan without much trouble today.

Pakistan 110 for 1 (Manzoor 59*) trail Sri Lanka 606 (Samaraweera 214, Dilshan 145, Sangakkara 104, Gul 6-135) by 496 runs.