Kumar Sangakkara passed the 9 000 Test-run milestone as Sri Lanka began positively in the third and final cricket Test against Pakistan on Thursday.
Former captain Sangakkara was unbeaten on 35 as Sri Lanka reached lunch at 75 for one on the first day after winning the toss and electing to bat.
The 33-year-old Sangakkara, in his 103rd Test, became the 11th player to pass 9 000 Test runs when he reached 28. He is the second Sri Lankan to the milestone behind teammate Mahela Jayawardene, who has 9 895.
Sangakkara hit four boundaries and faced 86 deliveries in an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 71 with captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has stoked five boundaries in his unbeaten 33.
Umar Gul (1-24) gave the hosts a breakthrough in the first over when Tharanga Paranavitana edged to second slip and Younus Khan pouched a fine, high catch.
Paranavitana had been dropped off his previous delivery, a sharp inside edge not clutched by Azhar Ali at short leg.
But after the inital setback, Sangakkara and Dilshan batted purposefully to dull the Pakistan attack.
Gul thought he removed Dilshan just before lunch, but umpire Shahvir Tarapore ruled not out on a legside catch by the wicketkeeper. TV replays indicated it brushed the glove on the way through. — Sapa-AP