Sri Lanka continue to pile on the misery

Sri Lanka continued to pile on the runs on Day 4 of the first Test against Bangladesh after their batsmen continued to make merry on the Chittagong wicket that is a good batting surface.

Having resumed the day shy of the Bangladesh first innings total by nine runs, they ended the opening session with a lead of 99 and the scoreboard reading 612 for 4.

Roshen Silva, in just his second Test, played with impeccable composure and was rewarded with his maiden Test ton. He came to the crease last evening after the departure of centurion Dananjaya de Silva and was involved in century stands with Kusal Mendis (107) and then skipper Dinesh Chandimal (135) before falling for 109 himself on Saturday (February 3).

Mehidy Hasan was the only bowler to have reaped a reward this morning when Silva tried to steer a slightly short one past the sole slip. The fact that it stayed low did the batsman in who got a bottom edge that was pouched by Liton Das.

Nevertheless, skipper Chandimal carried on unperturbed despite the Bangladesh bowlers finding some consistent turn, but failed to make inroads.

Along came Niroshan Dickwella and pressed on the accelerator unbeaten on 29 that almost came at a run a ball to add 62 off 74 with Chandimal who reached another half-century, being unbeaten on 87 when the break was called for.

Sri Lanka are as good as batting Bangladesh out of the game with five sessions remaining.

The hosts seem not just out of ideas as to how to stop Sri Lanka's line-up from piling on the runs, but a bit flat given the scenario they find themselves in.

Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah, who was criticised on Day 3 for having underbowled Mehidy Hasan, finally gave him a chunk in the morning session and the bowler paid heed to his skipper's call with Silva's wicket.