In-form opener Pathum Nissanka scored an unbeaten 146, leading Sri Lanka to tighten their grip on the second Test against Bangladesh on Day 2 in Colombo on Thursday.
Sri Lanka were 290/2 at stumps, with a lead of 43 runs, thanks to Nissanka鈥檚 sparkling knock off 238 deliveries. This follows his career-best score of 187 in the first Test in Galle, which ended in a draw.
Nissanka found a capable partner in former captain Dinesh Chandimal, who scored a fluent 93 before a lapse in judgment saw him lose his wicket minutes before stumps.
The duo put on 194 runs together. 鈥淲e are in a very good position. Tomorrow, we have to bat the whole day and aim for a lead of 150 to 200,鈥 said wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a shame he missed out on a double hundred in Galle. I hope he achieves it here,鈥 he said of Nissanka.
Frustrated by their inability to break through, Bangladesh resorted to negative lines and spread fields, but Chandimal and Nissanka answered with a flurry of reverse sweeps.
Nissanka鈥檚 opening partner, Lahiru Udara, was dismissed for 40 by a Taijul Islam ball that held its line.
Given not out the decision was overturned after a review.
Earlier, debutant Sonal Dinusha took 3/22 as Sri Lanka bowled out the visitors for 247.
Bangladesh resumed the day on 220/8 and lasted 8.3 overs, with overnight batter Taijul the last man out for 33, caught off Dinusha鈥檚 left-arm spin.
All-rounder Dinusha, who replaced the retired Angelo Mathews, made an instant impact by dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das on the opening day.
Pacer Asitha Fernando finished with three wickets after he struck the first blow on Thursday.
Taijul offered some resistance and survived a reprieve on 20 when Kamindu Mendis dropped a tough opportunity at wide mid-off, denying Fernando his fourth wicket.
The southpaw frustrated the hosts with a gutsy innings during which he took a few blows to the helmet.
Bangladesh eked out 33 runs for the last two wickets.
Play began 15 minutes early to compensate for overs lost to rain on day one when only 71 of the scheduled 90 overs were possible.
The winner at Colombo鈥檚 Sinhalese Sports Club ground will clinch the series after last week鈥檚 draw.
鈥淪ri Lanka are ahead in the game at the moment, but we know the new ball is due,鈥 said Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons.
鈥淲e will try to make an impact with the new ball. We know things can happen quickly if we get a couple of wickets with the new ball.鈥
Brief scores:
Bangladesh: 247 (Shadman Islam 46, Mushfiqur Rahim 35, Sonal Dinusha 3-22, Asitha Fernando 3-51)
Sri Lanka: 290-2 (Pathum Nissanka 146 not out, Dinesh Chandimal 93)
(With AFP Inputs)