Dilshan warns more to come after Sri Lanka take opening day honours

The opener scored his first Test hundred on home soil in three years, with Sangakkara unbeaten on 111 as the hosts ended the day on 300 for two.

Tillakaratne Dilshan survives a close chance on the opening day of the Test.
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GALLE, Sri Lanka // Tillakaratne Dilshan has targeted a score of more than 500 today after he and Kumar Sangakkara hammered centuries to put Sri Lanka in command against Pakistan on the opening day of the first Test yesterday.

Dilshan made 101, his first Test hundred on home soil in three years, and Sangakkara was unbeaten on 111 as the hosts ended the day on 300 for two after electing to bat on winning the toss.

"This was a very satisfying innings because it came against a quality attack like Pakistan," Dilshan said. "It was not an easy wicket to bat on because the ball has already started to turn.

"If we can get around 500 or so we will have a good chance of winning this match."

Mahela Jayawardene, the captain, kept Sangakkara company at close on 55, the senior pair having put on 113 so far for the third wicket.

Dilshan reached his 13th Test century by sweeping left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman for a boundary just before the tea interval and celebrated by raising both hands high in the air.

It was Dilshan's first Test century at home since making 123 not out against New Zealand in August 2009. It was also his first Test hundred since the career-best 193 against England last year.

Dilshan, however, failed to survive until tea as he was dismissed in the next over, leg-before to the off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

Mohammad Hafeez, captaining Pakistan for the first time in Test cricket, was calm after Sri Lanka's big day.

"We were unlucky today but have no complaints at all," he said. "I think given the conditions, we are happy to restrict Sri Lanka to 300 on the first day.

"Our bowlers really bowled well, but credit to Dilshan and Sangakkara for the way they batted. There are still four days to go, hopefully we will come back strongly in the game."

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