Kumar Sangakkara shines as Sri Lanka and Pakistan head for draw

The elegant left-hander continued his fine recent run of form as the hosts reached 252-2 in Galle, 199 runs behind their opponents, with the match seemingly heading for a draw.

Sangakkara resumed on Friday on 36 not out with opening batsman Kaushal Silva also unbeaten on 38 as Sri Lanka began the day 99-1, 352 shy of Pakistan's first-innings total of 451.

Silva reached 64 before being dismissed by Mohammad Talha (1-45), with Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene producing yet another century stand to comfortably guide Sri Lanka beyond the follow-on mark.

After bringing up his 50 with a pull to deep backward square leg off Junaid Khan (1-71), Silva departed in the 47th over following a superb one-handed diving catch by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Sangakkara had brought up his own half-century in Talha's previous over courtesy of an edge down to the third man boundary.

Jayawardene - due to retire at the end of this two-match series - helped Sangakkara in ensuring Sri Lanka reached lunch without any further loss as the Pakistan bowling attack continued to toil.

A shower meant a 35-minute delay after lunch, but Sri Lanka's experienced pair were not fazed and continued to make serene progress when play resumed.

Jayawardene reached his half-century with a paddle into the leg side off Abdur Rehman (0-56) before, in the penultimate over before the weather intervened once more, Sangakkara brought up his 37th Test century with a fearsome cut through point.