Opener Oshada Fernando and the in-form Dinesh Chandimal hit half-centuries to drive Sri Lanka to 315 for 6 on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday.

Chandimal fell for 80, scoring his fourth straight 50-plus score, but a string of cameos from their top and middle order kept Sri Lanka on course for a score in excess of 350.

Pakistan could have been in a better position, but skipper Babar Azam spilled two catches, including one from Niroshan Dickwella who was batting on a run-a-ball 42. Debutant Dunith Wellalage was on six at the other end.

Earlier, electing to bat after winning yet another toss, Sri Lanka got off to a strong start with Oshada (50) and Dimuth Karunaratne (40) combining in a 92-run opening stand.

Oshada was particularly aggressive, bringing up his fifty with a maximum off Mohammad Nawaz but fell caught behind to the very next delivery from the left-arm spinner.

Kusal Mendis departed on the stroke of lunch when Agha Salman, trying to stop Karunaratne’s straight drive, deflected the ball onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end with Mendis short of the crease.

Karunaratne was looking good for his fifty, but he threw his wicket away in an attempt to go for a reverse sweep off leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Angelo Mathews, playing his 100th Test, batted aggressively and got a reprieve when Babar floored a sitter at cover when the former Sri Lanka captain was on 36. Mathews could not capitalise on it though and was dismissed caught behind for 42 by Nauman Ali.

Chandimal took a single off Yasir to bring up his fifty and went on to hit the latter for two sixes. Chandimal then paid for his ultra-aggression.