(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Bangladesh bowlers rattled the Sri Lanka top-order, but a Dinesh Chandimal-inspired Sri Lanka fought back on the first day of the Colombo Test, the Tigers’ 100th match in the longer version of the game.
The hosts were on 238 for 7 at the close of play, thanks to Chandimal’s 86, made in 210 deliveries with four fours.
Opting to bat first, the Sri Lanka batsmen struggled in front of speedster Mustafizur Rahman who bowled three straight maidens before removing opener Dimuth Karunaratne.
Miraz soon joined the party, getting last match’s hero Kusal Mendis stumped first, and then having Upal Tharanga caught at first slip for 11.
Subashis was the next to claim a wicket as he trapped Asela Gunaratne leg before for 13 to leave the hosts on 70 for 4 and the teams went for lunch.
Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva, brought in the team in place of Lahiru Kumara, then added 66 in the fifth wicket in their attempt to repair the damage.
The partnership was broken by Taijul Islam as he bowled Dhananjaya, who made 34.
Niroshan Dickwella then made a 44-run partnership with Chandimal, in which the former contributed 34, before he was bowled by Shakib Al Hasan.
Mustafizur Rahman then returned to remove Dilruwan Perera to bag his second of the game, but Chandimal and Rangana Herath made sure there were no further casualties.
The duo added an unbeaten 43 as the hosts showed signs of recovery near the close of the day.
