Sri Lanka, replying to Pakistan’s first innings total of 6-551 declared, moved to 1-178 by tea on the fourth day of the rain-hit second Test in Colombo on Tuesday.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was unbeaten on 85 and Kumar Sangakkara was on 90 after rain allowed just 17 overs to be sent down in the post-lunch session at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

With two innings yet to be completed, the Test is almost certainly headed for a draw after bad weather on the previous two days restricted play to only 71 of the stipulated 180 overs.

As Dilshan and Sangakkara close in on centuries in successive matches, the pair put on 167 runs for the second wicket after opener Tharanga Paranavitana fell for a duck on Monday.

Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 199 and Dilshan made 101 in the first Test in Galle last week which Sri Lanka won by 209 runs to lead the three-match series.

More rain has been forecast for the final day on Wednesday.

When Sangakkara reached 60, he become the highest run-getter against Pakistan, surpassing Indian great Sunil Gavaskar’s tally of 2089 runs from 24 Tests.

Sangakkara, who is playing his 15th Test against Pakistan, has already scored eight centuries against them with a top score of 230 in Lahore in 2002.

The third Test will be played in Pallekele from July 8.