Second Test, Colombo (day two):
Pakistan 90 & 178-1 v Sri Lanka 240
Match scorecard
Fawad Alam hit a century on Test debut as Pakistan fought back strongly on day two against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The 23-year-old opener made an unbeaten 102 as the tourists, 1-0 down in the series, reached 178-1 at the close.
It was a big improvement on their 90 all out in the first innings and gave them a 28-run lead.
Sri Lanka were earlier dismissed for 240 as Umar Gul took 4-43, including the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara for 87, and Saeed Ajmal picked up 4-87.
The dismissal of the Sri Lanka captain at 188-5 sparked a batting collapse as the home side lost their remaining five wickets for 52 runs.
Sangakkara had looked on course for his 19th Test century before he was bowled by Gul, ending a 150-ball innings.
Fast bowler Gul was particularly impressive, obtaining dramatic movement off the pitch and in the air, complemented by the tight lines of off-spinner Ajmal.
606: DEBATE" What a innings under pressure, well played young man "
And Alam's 153-ball innings, which featured six boundaries and a six, capped an impressive performance following Pakistan's abject first-day display.
The left-hander, whose exclusion from the first Test had baffled former players and commentators alike, became the 10th Pakistani to score a century on debut, but the first to do so overseas.
He brushed aside an confident early lbw appeal on four to compile a first-wicket stand of 85 with Khurram Manzoor before adding an unbroken 93-run partnership with captain Younus Khan (35 not out).
"I was a bit nervous in my first Test but it seems the captain and my father had a lot of faith in me," said Alam.
"When I reached my century, Younus told me in the middle that he had something to give me in the dressing room. It turned out to be a ball on which he had written yesterday that Alam will get a hundred.
"I had rung my father last evening after making 16 in the first innings. He told me not to worry and predicted my next call to him will be after a century. I can't wait to ring him."
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was the only Sri Lanka bowler who prospered at the P Sara Oval when he had Manzoor caught behind by wicketkeeper Tillakaratne Dilshan.
But coach Trevor Bayliss said: "The game is evenly poised now after two days and three days to go. So, whoever plays the best cricket in the last three days will win.
"These guys are professional cricketers, they've had bad days before and come out and had a good day the next day. That's just what happens in the game of cricket."
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