GALLE, Sri Lanka — Kumar Sangakkara struck his 31st Test century to equal the Sri Lanka record held by Mahela Jayawardene as the host reached 361 for three on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh Friday. Sangakkara, playing his first competitive match since December after recovering from a finger injury, smashed the hapless Bangladesh attack to all parts before he departed for 142, caught by Jahurul Islam in the covers off Sohag Gazi. He was dropped on 111 when Mohammad Ashraful put down a head high chance at mid-on off Gazi who took the other two wickets to fall. On a flat track, Bangladesh took the second new ball in the 81st over, but bowled only four more before rain brought an early end to the day. With Lahiru Thirimanne, who scored his third test half-century, Sangakkara put on 124 for the third wicket. Thirimanne was unbeaten on 74 at stumps with skipper Angelo Mathews on 25 not out. Bangladesh's only success in the afternoon session was the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne, who was trapped leg before on the back foot by Gazi for 41. Karunaratne had earlier left the field when on 15 after he tried to pull a delivery from Shahadat Hossain and took a blow on his left elbow. “Dimuth suffered from dizziness and double vision and was forced to retire,” Sri Lanka manager Michael de Zoysa told reporters. Karunaratne's opening partner Tillakaratne Dilshan had Sri Lanka off to a fast start after Mathews had won the toss for the home side on his test debut as captain. Dilshan hit 54 before he came down the track to Gazi and offered a low catch to Mominul Haque at mid-off. Haseeb Ahsan dies Former Pakistan off-spinner and selector Haseeb Ahsan, credited with picking legend Wasim Akram in 1984, died Friday after prolonged illness, a family friend said. He was 73. Ahsan was regarded as one of the most straight-forward cricket administrators, and headed Pakistan's World Cup 1987 organizing committee and served as a national team manager. Karachi City Cricket Association president Sirajul Islam Bukhari confirmed Ahsan died early Friday in the city. Ahsan played 12 Tests between 1958-62 and was a member of the Pakistan team on its first tour to the West Indies in 1858. He made his debut at Bridgetown where his old friend Hanif Mohammad scored 337 — still Pakistan's highest Test score. — Agencies Scoreboard Sri Lanka (1st innings) Karunaratne lbw b Gazi 41 Dilshan c Mominul b Gazi 54 Sangakkara c Jahurul b Gazi 142 Thirimanne not out 74 Mathews not out 25 Extras (b4, lb13, nb5, w3) 25 Total (for 3; 85.3 overs) 361 Falls: 1-114 (Dilshan; Karunaratne retd on 46), 2-181 (Karunaratne), 3-305 (Sangakkara). Bowling: Hossain 13-1-60-0 (nb1), Hasan 14.3-1-66-0 (nb4, w3), Gazi 31-3-101-3, Sunny 14-0-60-0, Ashraful 4-0-23-0, Mahmudullah 9-1-34-0.
