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Hasan Raza continued his liking for Sri Lanka 'A' bowlers by stroking an undefeated 119 as Pakistan 'A' took complete command of the first Test at Iqbal Stadium here Thursday.

By stumps on the penultimate day of the four-day fixture, the tourists had reached 72 for two, having conceded a big first innings lead of 208.

Sri Lanka 'A' managed a paltry 183 in their first essay on Tuesday.

Hasan's superb innings serves an appropriate reminder to the shortsighted national selectors who had omitted him from the original list of probables announced earlier this month.

With the senior squad facing crisis in the wake of poor form and spate of injuries, Hasan has now emerged as one of the candidates for the offshore home Test series against world champions Australia beginning early next month.

The 20-year-old right-hander was chiefly responsible of putting his side on verge of a probable victory as Pakistan 'A' lifted their overnight score of 149 for two to 391 for eight before skipper Faisal Iqbal applied the closure.

Young fast bowler Umar Gul then dealt two severe blows to the Sri Lankans' hopes of saving the match by removing both the left-handed Test openers, Michael Vandort (1) and Avishka Gunawardena (29), in an impressive opening spell.

But the day belonged to Hasan, who chalked up his third century in as many matches against the same rivals. He made two unbeaten centuries at Dambulla (121) and Galle (102) when he led Pakistan 'A' to series victory on the away tour last year.

Hasan's 231-ball knock was embellished with seven fours and a brace of sixes, against medium-pacer Chamila Gamage and leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi.

All-rounder Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan also played a significant hand by sharing a partnership of 111 with Hasan Raza, after Pakistan 'A' were in some bother at 196 for five. He struck three fours and one six in making 48 off 98 deliveries.

Test all-rounder Azhar Mahmood was also in good nick as he hit 33 off 79 balls with two fours and one six. He dominated the seventh-wicket stand of 58 with Hasan.

Moin Khan, the former Test skipper, fell after making only a 37-ball 14.

Lokuarachchi was the most successful Sri Lanka 'A' bowler with figures of four for 112 in 34 overs, having given away 36 in six overs on Wednesday without any success.

Gamage finished with two for 57, including the scalp of Taufiq Umar, going after adding only five to his overnight 68.

© Dawn