Strong reply from Sri Lanka as Dhananjaya hits ton in 1st Test
Top-order batsman Dhananjaya de Silva hit a magnificent ton as Sri Lanka responded strongly in their first innings as they scored 187 for 1 at stumps in reply to Bangladesh's first innings total of 513 on the second day of the first Test of two-match Test series on Thursday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Though Mehedi Hasan Miraz brought early breakthrough for Bangladesh removing opener Dimuth Karunaratne for duck, but Dhananjaya and Kusal Mendis remained firm with bat and shared an unbeaten 186-run second wicket stand to take the team's total to a comfortable position.
Both the Sri Lankan batsmen stayed on the crease till the end of the second day's play. The visitors still trailed by 326 runs and they have nine wickets in hand after the second day's play.
The right-handed batsman Dhananjaya, who hit his career fourth Test ton, remained unbeaten with 104 runs off 127 balls laced with 15 boundaries. Opener Kusal Mendis also looked solid with bat providing support to Silva to remain unbeaten with 83 runs off 152 balls studded with seven boundaries and one over boundary.
Miraz was the lone wicket taker for Bangladesh as he send back Dimuth Karunaratne (0), who gave a catch to Imrul Kayes at first slip. The Lankan opener's out brought huge cheers in Bangladesh camp.
Sri Lanka went to tea scoring 50 for the loss of 1 wicket with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva on the crease with 13 and 37 runs respectively.
Earlier, Mominul Haque hit a magnificent ton as Bangladesh amassed their first innings with a massive total of 513 for all against Sri Lanka. After a batting jolt losing three batsmen in the first session, skipper Mahmudullah scored an unbeaten half-century to help Bangladesh score past 500 runs post. The all-rounder remained unbeaten with 83 runs off 134 balls laced with seven boundaries and two over boundaries.
Spinner Rangana Herath brought Mominul Haque's marathon knock to an end in the third over of the day when the left-handed batsman flicked a catch to Kusal Mendis at forward short leg.
The south paw batsman Mominul, who hit 16 fours and a six, faced 214 balls and added just one run to his overnight score of 175.
Herath struck again as Mosaddek Hossain lofted a catch to Lakshan Sandakan at mid-on after making just eight.
Mehedi Hasan took Bangladesh past 400 with a lovely straight drive off paceman Suranga Lakmal, before smashing Herath for a six. But he was soon run out for 20. Then Bangladesh faced little wobble in quick-succession and slipped to 417 for 7.
However, Mahmudullah kept his nerve cool in the other end pairing with Sunzamul Islam he added an useful 58 runs for the 8th wicket stand to take the team to a comfortable position. Sunzamul added 24 runs before he was stumped-off left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan.
Suranga Lakmal and Rangana Herath were the pick of Sri Lankan bowers as they claimed three wickets each conceding 68 and 150 runs respectively. They were well supported by Lakshan Sandakan who bagged two wickets giving away 92 runs.
Bangladesh 1st innings - 513 for all, Mominul 176, Mushfiqur 92, Mahmudullah 83 n.o, Sunzamul 24, Mehidy 20, Lakmal 3/68, Herath 3/150 and Sandakan 2/92.
Sri Lankan 1st innings - 187 for 1, Dhananjaya 104 batting, Mendis 83 batting, Miraz 1/45.
Source: BSS
