Sangakkara dominated Pakistan's inexperienced attack

Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan combined to put Sri Lanka on course for a probable win in the first Test against Pakistan in Colombo.

Sangakkara hit 185, his first Test century since July last year, as the home side made 448-5 in their second innings before declaring.

It left Pakistan facing what would be a Test record victory target of 458.

They made a solid start but Murali removed Imran Farhat and Younis Khan to leave them on 88-2 at close of play.

It was a classic double for the spinner - Farhat (34) well taken at slip by Mahela Jayawardene after playing forward to a ball which turned just enough to take the edge, and Younis bowled for eight as he shaped to square cut.

But Shoaib Malik (31) and Faisal Iqbal (seven) managed to survive the final 11 overs of play to give Pakistan some hope of hanging on for a draw on the final day.

Sangakkara believes the odds are now stacked in Sri Lanka's favour and expects spinners Muraliharan and Malinga Bandara to finish the job.

"They are still 370-odd runs behind and we just have to get a couple of key wickets to add on to the pressure we already have them under," he said.

"As always, we'll be looking to Murali to do things for us, but we also have not seen much of Malinga yet and he could be dangerous on this pitch."

Sri Lanka had resumed the day on 242-2 and their batsmen continued to dominate despite the early loss of Jayawardene for 82.

He top edged an attempted hook to a short ball from Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzaq ran in from the long leg boundary to take a good catch and end a 158-run partnership with Sangakkara.

But the tourists had to wait until after lunch to achieve their next success as Sangakkara raised the tempo of his innings after reaching three figures, with Thilan Samaraweera playing the supporting role.

They added 144 for the fourth wicket before Sangakkara, who struck 22 fours during his five and a half hour innings, swept a ball from Malik straight to Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Samaraweera followed for 64 in the next over when he tried to a lofted cover drive from the bowling of Shahid Afridi but failed to clear Farhat.

The declaration came shortly afterwards, leaving Tillakaratane Dilshan and Farveez Maharoof on eight and five not out respectively.