FP – Taufeeq Umar posted an aggressive half-century to give Pakistan a confident start to the second Test against Sri Lanka, reaching 1-94 at lunch on the opening day on Saturday.

Umar hit 12 boundaries during his 74-ball innings of 65 and was the dominating partner during a 78-run first-wicket stand with Mohammad Hafeez.

He was later out caught by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene off seamer Angelo Mathews who returned 1-28.

Hafeez was not out with a patient 20 with Azhar Ali was on eight at lunch.

Pakistan, who lost the first Test in Galle by 209 runs, took advantage of Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene’s surprise decision to field first on a good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Hafeez had made only 12 when Taufeeq raced to his 14th Test half-century in the 18th over with two successive boundaries off Mathews.

Misbah ul-Haq returned to lead Pakistan after missing the Galle Test due to a one-match ban for slow over rates. Middle-order batsman Mohammad Ayub was dropped to accommodate the skipper.

But the tourists were without frontline seamer Umar Gul, who was ruled out with an ankle injury. He was replaced by fast bowler Aizaz Cheema.

Sri Lanka retained the same side that won the first Test to lead the three-match series 1-0.