Opener Dimuth Karunaratne fell seven runs short of a deserved century as he anchored Sri Lanka's fightback on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The left-hander was run out for 93 but helped his team recover from a precarious 61-3 to reach 227-4 at close after Sri Lanka won the toss and batted on a greenish Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch. Karunaratne added an invaluable 100-run partnership with skipper Dinesh Chandimal, who was 60 not out at stumps, as Pakistan failed to break through with the second new ball. Niroshan Dickwella was unbeaten on 42, having added 66 runs for the unbroken fifth-wicket stand alongside his captain. Chandimal was given leg before to Yasir Shah on 42, a decision which was overturned on review.

Dimuth Karunaratne of Sri Lanka celebrates after his half century on the first day of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 28, 2017. Pic/AFP