Bangladesh kept taking wickets at regular intervals throughout the day

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Playing in their 100th Test, Bangladesh’s bowling attack worked in tandem to pile the pressure on Sri Lanka on the first day in Colombo even though Dinesh Chandimal made a gutsy 86 not out.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka found themselves in trouble early on as Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan Miraz ripped through their top order, removing Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis and Upul Tharanga in quick succession.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when Asela Gunaratne was trapped lbw off the bowling of Subashis Roy for 13.

However, Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva stabilised the innings with a 66-run partnership, during which Chandimal brought up his half-century, before De Silva was clean bowled by Taijul Islam for 34.

Niroshan Dickwella also made 34 before he was cleaned up by Shakib Al Hasan, while Dilruwan Perera only scored nine runs before becoming Mustafizur’s second victim.

Chandimal and stand-in captain Rangana Herath guided Sri Lanka safely to stumps as they put together an unbeaten 43-run partnership.

Chandimal finished on 86 off 210 balls, which included four boundaries, while Herath remained undefeated on 18 off 63 deliveries, which included two boundaries.

Chandimal struck four boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 86

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Mustafizur and Mehedi picked up two wickets apiece, while Subashis, Taijul and Shakib claimed one wicket each.

Sri Lanka ended day one on 238/7 and will continue batting on Thursday at 10:00 local time or 04:30 GMT.