Sri Lanka counterpunch with the bat

Having seen Bangladesh reach 513 all out Sri Lanka chipped into that lead reaching 187 for 1 by stumps on day two of the first Test in Chittagong.

Day one star Mominul Haque added just one run to his overnight score of 175 as veteran Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath took the first of his three wickets to leave the hosts 376 for 5.

Herath (3/150) and Lakshan Sandakan (2/92) got stuck into the tail but Mahmudullah Riyaz kept the board moving with a series of handy lower order partnerships.

Mahmudullah’s 83 not out was supplemented by handy cameos from Mehedi Hasan (20) and Sunzamul Islam (24) that allowed Bangladesh to push past 500 after something of a mini-collapse left them in danger of being bowled out for less than 450.

Suranga Lakmal (3/68) rounded off the Bangladesh innings breaking a stubborn 35 run tenth wicket stand by having Mustafizur Rahman (8) nick off to a short one.

In reply Sri Lanka lost Dimuth Karunaratne (0) early as he slashed a wide one from Mehedi straight to slip.

After that though Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva took control of proceedings with an unbroken 187 run second wicket partnership.

Dhananjaya recorded his fourth Test century continuing a very good start to his Test career while down the other end Mendis was unbeaten on 83.

Sri Lanka still trail by 326 runs but the surface appears to still be very friendly towards batsmen.

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