Pakistan v Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne leads recovery for Sri Lanka with half-century

Yasir Shah bags two wickets including Kusal Mendis just before the break at Zayed Cricket Stadium

Sri Lanka's batsman Dimuth Karunaratne runs between the wickets at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Cricket Stadium on his way to a half-century against Pakistan. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Afternoon session

Dimuth Karunaratne's solid half-century steadied the ship for Sri Lanka on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The left-hander was unbeaten on 81 with captain Dinesh Chandimal 32 not out as the pair added 82 for an unbroken fourth-wicket stand to take Sri Lanka to 143-3 at tea at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan had the advantage in the first session with leg-spinner Yasir Shah taking 2-38, dismissing left-hander Lahiru Thirimanne for his 150th Test wicket as Sri Lanka finished the morning on 61-3.

Morning session

Sri Lanka were 61-3 at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi after winning the toss and electing to bat on Thursday.

Yasir Shah dismissed Kusal Mendis for just 10 runs in the last over before the break, becoming the leg-spinner's second wicket of the session.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was unbeaten on 32 at the interval. Kaushal Silva made 12 while Lahiru Thirimanne failed to score.

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• Paul Radley: Sri Lanka's struggles cautionary tale for Pakistan ahead of Abu Dhabi cricket Test

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Seamer Hasan Ali gave Pakistan the breakthrough in a session that featured a paltry two boundaries when Silva misjudged an incoming delivery.

Left-hander Lahiru Thirimanne, playing his first Test after a 15-month break, became Yasir's 150th Test wicket as he missed a full-length delivery and was trapped leg-before without scoring.

Yasir joins fellow countryman Waqar Younis as the joint second fastest to 150 wickets - both achieving the milestone in their 27th Test.

Australia's Sydney Barnes holds the record after reaching 150 wickets in 24 Tests.