Sangakkara credits father after double hundred

Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara paid tribute to his father on Thursday after becoming only the sixth wicketkeeper to score a test double hundred.

The 25-year-old left-hander from Colombo powered his way to 230 off 327 balls on the second day of the Asian Test Championship final against Pakistan.

He fell two runs short of the highest test score by a wicketkeeper -- 232 by Zimbabwe's Andy Flower against India -- when he was caught in the slips off Abdur Razzaq shortly before the close.

But he became the second Sri Lankan wicketkeeper to achieve the feat of scoring a double hundred following Brendon Kuruppu's 201 against New Zealand on his debut in 1986-87.

"My father S.K. Sangakkara was the driving force in me taking up cricket. I wish he had been here today to watch my innings," Sangakkara told reporters.

"Unfortunately I don't know if he watched me play because I don't think they are showing this final on television in Sri Lanka."

CAPTAIN'S HELP

Sangakkara also paid tribute to his captain Sanath Jayasuriya for helping him through his innings.

"It was tough initially but Sanath took the pressure off me by getting five runs an over," he added.

"Pakistan then went on the defensive so we took calculated risks. I am happy I got this hundred, but in a way I am disappointed I let the team down as I should have batted out the last five overs and kept my wicket intact for tomorrow".

Sangakkara, who batted for 480 minutes for his 230, said he was not mindful of the record as he approached it.

"Whenever I get a big hundred I am happy and I hope it is a big one. I was never looking at records. I am happy that I have been able to complete my two responsibilities in the team as wicketkeeper and batsman."

Sangakkara said that he did not model himself on any particular batsman, although he said he was a great admirer of Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar and Vivian Richards.

Jayasuriya dismissed any notions of an early Sri Lankan declaration, insisting that with three days to go, he was in no hurry to force a win.

"The wicket I think has eased out now. When we won the toss and fielded first I think we got the advantage, but now it is easier to bat on it."

Jayasuriya said he was disappointed at missing out on a hundred but expressed his delight over the way the other batsmen had played.

"We don't plan to play at five runs an over," he said. "I think it is our natural game. We just play like that. It does help us try to win matches."

List of wicketkeepers who have scored double test hundreds: Imtiaz Ahmed (Pakistan) 209 v New Zealand at Lahore 1955-56, Taslim Arif (Pakistan) 210 v Australia at Faisalabad 1979-80, Brendon Kuruppu (Sri Lanka) 201 v New Zealand at Colombo 1986-87, Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) 232 v India at Nagpur 2000/2001, Adam Gilchrist (Australia) 204 v South Africa at Johannesburg 2001-2002, Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) 230 v Pakistan at Lahore 2002.

Mail Cricket Editor