Roshen Silva and Dinesh Chandimal ended day 3 unbeaten on 87 & 37 respectively as the two took Sri Lanka towards Bangladesh’s first innings total, ending day 3 on 504 for the loss of 3 wickets in the first test played at Chittagong.
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The visitors dominated proceedings on day 3 as Sri Lanka nullified all Bangladesh threats to end day 3 on top. However, the home team showed glimpses of a fight back, dismissing both Dhananjaya De Silva and Kusal Mendis in the second session as a revival looked on the cards. Chandimal and Silva showed some master class with the bat, regaining control for Sri Lanka in the final session of play.
Roshen Silva went past a well-orchestrated half century as Dinesh Chandimal provided vital support.
Sri Lanka dominated proceedings in the final session with 88 runs for no wicket as Chandimal ended the day unbeaten on 37 while Silva finished amassed 87, approaching his first test century.
Wayward Sri Lanka concede 374 on day 1
A bowling performance by Sri Lanka that left much to be..
Earlier in the day, Kusal Mendis reached his 4th test ton on his Birthday, the only Sri Lankan to do so – as the two overnight batsmen negotiated the first hour of play with relative ease.
Dhanajaya De Silva went past 150 for the first time in his test career, making him the joint fastest batsman to 1000 runs for Sri Lanka together with Roy Dias and Michael Vandort. They all took 23 innings to achieve this feat.
Sri Lanka dominated the first session, scoring 108 runs, giving away no wickets, leaving Bangladesh in disarray, as they headed into the lunch break.
Bangladesh opted for the new ball soon after lunch as Muztafizur Rahman came into the attack, dismissing De Silva as soon Sri Lanka got past 300 run mark. The wicket slowed down, as De Silva fell to a short delivery that never arrived, wicket-keeper Linton Das covered good ground, hanging on to the high-ball as De Silva found himself walking back to the pavilion with 173 runs to his name off 229 balls which included 21 fours and a six.
De Silva & Mendis strengthens Sri Lanka reply
Dhananjaya De Silva (104*) and Kusal Mendis (83*) put on 187..
The wicket, put the brakes on the scoring rate, however, Roshen Silva and Kusal Mendis hung in there, enduring a few close calls.
With minutes left in the second session, Mendis on 196, threw it away with a rash shot, holding out to Mushfiqur Rahim, falling ever so close to yet another milestone on his birthday.
Sri Lanka scored a total of 317 runs for the loss of just two wickets on day 3, displaying a commanding batting performance.
