Kusal Mendis celebrates after scoring his fourth Test century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis scored a career-best 196 as his side not only made Bangladesh toil, but also reduced their deficit to nine runs on the third day of the first Test in Chittagong.
Mendis was well supported by Dhananjaya de Silva, who made a career-best 173, and Roshen Silva, who ended the day unbeaten on 87.
Starting off the day on 187/1, Mendis and Dhananjaya converted their 187-run partnership into a massive 308-run stand, during which Dhananjaya surpassed the 150-run mark.
With Sri Lanka cruising, Bangladesh tried to do everything in their power to break the mammoth partnership the pair had amassed.
Ultimately, it was left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman who provided the breakthrough for the hosts as he had Dhananjaya caught behind for 173, which came off 229 balls and included 21 boundaries and a six.
Dhananjaya de Silva made his highest score in Test cricket
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Despite dismissing Dhananjaya, Mendis and Silva continued to punish Bangladesh as they put together a 107-run partnership, during which Mendis found himself within touching distance of his maiden double hundred.
However, disaster struck when he was four runs away as he was brilliantly caught by Mushfiqur Rahim off the bowling of Taijul Islam for 196, which came off 327 deliveries and included 22 boundaries and two sixes.
Even though Mendis was back in the pavilion, Sri Lanka’s dominance with the bat continued as Silva and captain Dinesh Chandimal forged an unbeaten 89-run partnership before stumps was called.
Roshen Silva struck five boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock of 87
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Silva finished on 87 off 153 balls, which included five boundaries and a six, while Chandimal remained undefeated on 37 off 90 deliveries, which included a solitary boundary.
Mustafizur, Taijul and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed one wicket each.
Sri Lanka ended day three on 504/3 and will continue batting on Saturday at 09:30 local time or 03:30 GMT.