COLOMBO: Opener Mohammad Hafeez scored his fifth Test century as Pakistan reached 217 runs for only one wicket at tea on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka here at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Saturday.
Hafeez was batting on 101 with his partner Azhar Ali (45) as both added 139 runs for the unbeaten second wicket partnership after Haeez and Taufiq Umar (65) provided a solid opening stand of 78.
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 batted for four hours to make a fine 105, laced with 13 fours while Taufiq hit 12 fours .
Hafeez had made only 12 when Taufeeq raced to his 14th Test half-century in the 18th over with two successive boundaries off seamer Angelo Mathews.
Taufeeq fell just when he had mastered the Sri Lankan attack, edging an intended cut off Angelo Mathews to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
Pakistan made 123 without losing a wicket in the second session after scoring 94 for one in the first session.