NEW DELHI: In a top-order batting onslaught, Sri Lanka surged to 314-4, firmly asserting control over the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Saturday.
Leading the charge,
Kusal Mendis
notched up 93 runs in Chittagong, supported by openers
Dimuth Karunaratne
(86) and
Nishan Madushka
(57), who contributed significantly to the team's total.
At stumps, Dinesh Chandimal was unbeaten on 34, partnering with skipper
Dhananjaya de Silva
, who was on 15.
Bangladesh struggled to make an impact with the ball after being put into the field, as Sri Lanka batted through the morning session without losing a wicket.
Madushka's innings came to an end with a run-out shortly after lunch, but Karunaratne and Mendis continued to propel the Sri Lankan innings forward with a commanding 114-run partnership.
Hasan sent back Karunaratne, who chopped a delivery into the stumps, before the tea break.
He struck eight fours and a six in his 129-ball innings, surviving a run-out scare on 18 after a mix-up with Madushka while taking a single off Hasan Mahmud.
Shakib Al Hasan denied Mendis his 10th Test century, forcing an edge to Mehidy at second slip.
Hasan picked up his second wicket when Mehidy caught Angelo Mathews (23) from the same spot in the first over after the second new ball.
Chandimal struck two sixes to move past his early shakiness before helping Sri Lanka pass the 300-run mark with a four off Hasan.
Sri Lanka lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opening Test by a resounding 328 runs.
Veteran all-rounder Shakib returned for Bangladesh after a long Test absence, and the hosts also handed a debut to Mahmud.
Sri Lanka brought Asitha Fernando in for injured Kasun Rajitha in their only change to the squad from the opening Test.
(With AFP inputs)
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