Kaushal Silva stars for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in Galle

Kaushal Silva was a constant throughout the first day's play in Sri Lanka's Test against Pakistan in Galle, helping the hosts to 178-3 as the action finally got under way.

Having seen Wednesday's play rained out, Thursday's start was also delayed before Silva proved the key man for the hosts as he made 80 not out to frustrate the tourists, who nonetheless made inroads later in the day.

Wahab Riaz (2-51) ended the crucial 112-run partnership between Silva and Kumar Sangakkara while also dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne (21) early on a slow pitch.

While Sri Lanka failed to claim any further success in the final eight overs, the likes of Yasir Shah (0-43) will hope to gain more turn on Friday when Silva and Angelo Mathews (10) resume.

Having managed to clear rain from the Galle pitch, the tourists won the toss and opted to bowl against the opening partnership of Karunaratne and Silva.

It initially looked a wise decision as the former underedged Wahab with an attempted pull to Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps before Sangakarra and Silva set about piling on the runs.

Despite eventually forming a prosperous partnership, the pair survived a number of near-misses as Sangakarra - reportedly set to announce his retirement after the second Test - chanced his arm with a number of close run-out calls.

After the third, Sangakarra brought up his 52nd Test 50 in the 30th over, with Sri Lanka reaching the 100 mark when Sangakarra worked a clever shot to fine leg.

As Silva's patient play continued to complement Sangakarra's masterful shotmaking, the two quickly racked up a century partnership only to lose the former 50 overs in as Wahab struck again.

His full delivery was nicked to Younis Khan at slip and the hosts' momentum was maintained soon after as Thirimanne could only angle Mohammad Hafeez (1-24) to Zulfiqar Babar infield.

With Sri Lanka eyeing further success before stumps, Silva and Mathews proved stubborn as the pair eked out 24 runs in the latter stages to leave the first of three Tests in the balance.