Pakistan's stand-in Test captain Mohammad Hafeez praised his bowlers after an "unlucky" performance on the first day in Galle, where Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara scored centuries to lead Sri Lanka to 300 for 2.
Dilshan scored his first Test century in a year, but departed for 101, and Sangakkara equalled Don Bradman, remaining unbeaten on his 29th Test ton.
"We were a bit unlucky," Hafeez said after stumps. "The conditions were suitable for spinners. Credit to Dilshan and Sanga for the way they played in these conditions. The outfield is quick and once the ball goes past the inner circle it goes for a boundary. We are very happy we restricted them to 300."
Hafeez said fast bowler Umar Gul was unfortunate to go wicketless for 55 runs. He could have dismissed Tharanga Paranavitana in his sixth over, when a thin inside edge was not detected by umpire Ian Gould. And in the absence of DRS, Gul could not review two close lbw appeals against Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene either.
"Gul was unlucky but this is how the game is played," Hafeez said. "We have to work hard tomorrow. We have to think of ways to get them out." When asked if the DRS would have helped, Hafeez said, "There are some inconsistencies in the use of DRS. This series does not have DRS so we are not complaining."
He said the spinners had chances to get Sangakkara out. "There were escapes where we could have got him. We have some plans against him and we'll try them out tomorrow. They looked like they had some plans against us. As a bowling unit we have to rethink our bowling strategy and come up with something new."