Sports Reporter :
Hosts Sri Lanka made 321 for the loss of four wickets in the first innings against Bangladesh on the opening day of the 1st Test at Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten with 166. Kusal Mendis reached his 2nd Test century playing 165 balls with 14 boundaries.
Sri Lanka had a shaky start as their opener Upal Tharanga (4) was bowled out by Subashis Roy when Sri Lanka’s total was just 15.
Then Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis put together 45 runs for the second wicket partnership before Karunaratne was bowled by Mehedi Hasan Miraz when the hosts’ score was 60 for the loss of two wickets.
Kusal Mendis hit 18 fours and two sixes in his splendid 242-ball innings.
After dismissal of Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis added 32 runs for the third wicket stand before Chandimal (5) was caught by Mehedi Hasan Miraz off Mustafizur Rahman when Sri Lanka’s total was 92 for the loss of three wickets.
After removal of Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and Asela Gunaratne salvaged their team contributing together 196 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Gunaratne was bowled by pacer Taskin Ahmed when the islanders’ score was 288 for the loss of four wickets.
Gunaratne notched up a marvelous 85. His 134-ball knock was laced with seven fours. Gunaratne fulfilled his second Test half century using 86 balls with six fours.
After departure of Gunaratne, Kusal Mendis and Noroshan Dickwella added together 33 runs for the unbroken five-wicket stand before the bails were drawn for the first day.
Opener Karunaratne scored 30 from 76 balls featuring two fours.
Dickwella remained unbeaten with 14.
Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Subashis Roy and Mehedi Hasan Miraz took one wicket each for 48, 50, 58 and 66 runs respectively.
