Dhananjaya de Silva (104*) hit a century and Kusal Mendis (83*) a half century to reduce Sri Lanka’s trail to 326 runs with nine wickets in hand in the 1st innings against host Bangladesh after the second day’s play of the 1st Test in a two-match series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Thursday.

Replying to Bangladesh’s 513/10 in 129.5 overs, Sri Lanka opened the 1st innings in the second session on the day and scored 187/1* in 48 overs, at stumps, as Dhananjaya and Mendis remained unbeaten at the crease in the 2nd wicket stand, sharing the day’s whole count  of Lankans innings, reports the UNB.

26-yeart-old spin all-rounder, Dhananjaya featured 15 boundaries off 127 balls for his 4th Test century while, wicketkeeper batsman Mendis completed his 5th Test half century firing six boundaries and one six off 152 balls.

The Tigers young spin all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz made the day’s only wicket for Bangladesh with the 3rd ball of his the very 1st over to found Dimuth Karunaratne, was caught by Imrul Kayes, on duck in the innings 2.3 overs, keeping Sri Lanka on zero.

Bangladesh finished the 1st innings in the second session suffering a quick-fall of six-wickets for 139 off 39.4 overs on the 2nd day’s play.

The Tigers’ collected 467/7 in 118th over before the lunch break and added 46 runs more off 11.5 overs in the second session for the cost of three wickets to finish on 513/10 in 129.5 overs, resuming the 1st innings on the day with an overnight score of 374/4 in 90 overs.

Skipper-cum-overnight batsman Mahmudullah Riyad played an unbeaten innings of 83* off 134 balls, including seven boundaries and two sixes, for his 15th half century in the longest format.

Mahmudullah shared an innings of 58 off 17.1 overs with Sunzamul Islam (24 off 56b; 1x4) in the 8th pair, which started on 417/7 in 102.2 overs and ended on 475/8 in 119.3 overs as Sunzamul was caught behind by Niroshan Dickwella off Lakshan Sandakan.

After Sunzamul, Taijul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman shared 24 balls, giving company to Mahmudullah before the end of the innings. 

First day’s hero Mominul Haque missed his maiden double century falling short of 24 runs as he was caught by Kusal Mendis off Rangana Herath on 376/5 in 92.4 overs.

Mominul started the 2nd day with overnight 175 off 203 balls, including 16 boundaries and one six, and added just one more run off 11 balls before the dismissal.

Mosaddek Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (20 off 19b; 1x4; 1x6) failed to stay with Mahmudullah in the next two stands, leaving the crease on 390/6 in 96.1 overs and on 417/7 in 102.2 overs respectively, from where Mahmudullah and Sunzamul paired for their partnership innings.

Earlier, on day one Mominul shared partnership of 236 off 56.1 overs in the 3rd wicket stand of the innings with former Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, who fell short of eight runs for a century, to carry the team total 356/3 in 83.5 overs.

Suranga Lakmal and Rangana Herath captured three wickets each for 68 and 150 runs while Lakshan Sandakan found two for 92. Dilruwan Perera got one wicket conceding 112 runs.

Brief score:

Bangladesh 1st innings: 513/10 in 129.5 overs (overnight 374/4 in 90.0 overs); Mominul Haque 176, Mushfiqur Rahim 92, Mahmudullah Riyad 83*, Tamim Iqbal 52, Imrul Kayes 40, Sunzamul Islam 24, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 20, Suranga Lakmal 3/68, Rangana Herath 3/150, Lakshan Sandakan 2/92, Dilruwan Perera 1/112.

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 187/1 * in 48 overs (at stumps); Dhananjaya de Silva 104*, Kusal Mendis 83*, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1/45.