Samaraweera ended the day unbeaten [AFP]

The hosts ended their partnership of 204 with the second new ball when Sangakkara was caught behind for 104 off Yasir Arafat but Samaraweera was still unbeaten on 133 when bad light ended play 3.2 overs early.

Pakistan won the toss and seamer Umar Gul made early inroads, removing openers Malinda Warnapura and Tharanga Paranavitana and ending a 61-run stand between Sangakkara and captain Mahela Jayawardene.

Repair job

The visitors were struggling on 96 for three in Lahore but Samaraweera, who made 231 in the drawn first Test in Karachi, and Sangakkara set about repairing the damage.

Sangakkara survived a dropped chance on 55 and a confident caught behind appeal on 35 and Pakistan also spilled Samaraweera, on 68.

He went on to strike 19 fours in 255 minutes at the crease.

Sangakkara's 18th Test century and fourth against Pakistan included eight fours.

"This pitch has more bounce and some pace and it is better to play your shots," said Sangakkara on Sunday.

"So even though we lost three wickets it was just a matter of settling down for a long innings."

Inexperience

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said his inexperienced seamers Arafat and Mohammad Talha had struggled.

"The pitch has bounce and some pace and although our bowlers did well, two of the pacers, Arafat and Talha lack experience," Intikhab said.

Pakistan looked in control in the first session when Gul had Warnapura caught at first slip by Misbah-ul-Haq and Malik took a sharp catch at gully to send Paranavitana packing to make it 35 for two.

Gul then had Jayawardene brilliantly caught by keeper Kamran Akmal.