Paranavitana rescues Sri Lanka in first test

GALLE, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Opener Tharanga Paranavitana scored 72 as Sri Lanka reached tea on 194 for five on the first day of the opening test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was unbeaten on 28 while debutant Angelo Mathews was 17 not out.

Paranavitana's maiden test half-century rescued the hosts after Pakistan's 17-year-old pace bowler Mohammad Aamer struck twice on his debut to leave Sri Lanka reeling on 21 for two early in the three-match series.

The 27-year-old left-hander, who faced 125 balls and hit 11 fours, added 75 runs for the third wicket with former captain Mahela Jayawardene (30) who fell just before lunch when he was caught behind off debutant Abdur Rauf.

Jayawardene's dismissal was a relief for wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who dropped the right-hander before he had scored.

After lunch Paranavitana put on 43 with Thilan Samaraweera (31), who was making his first-class comeback after being injured in the Lahore attacks four months ago.

Paranavitana then edged a rising delivery from Rauf to Misbah-ul-Haq before Samaraweera clipped a gentle outswinger from part-time medium pacer Younis Khan to the keeper.

Aamer had figures of two for 43 while Rauf took two for 45.

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