SL in Ban: Sri Lanka take command as De Silva, Mendis fail to reach double tons

Sri Lanka was trailing Bangladesh by 8 runs but with seven wickets in hand as stumps were drawn on Day 3 in the first Test at Chittagong today (2).

The visitors ended the day at 504-3 in reply to Bangladesh's total of 513, which put them in a strong position, mentally. 

With the dismissal of opener Dimuth Karunaratne before Sri Lanka's innings added any runs may have given them a strong sense of claiming a win, but Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, who came in at No.3 made all their guesses wrong. 

The duo went on to pile up with a marathon 308-run partnership for the second wicket but the biggest heartbreak would be both of them missing well deserved double centuries.

De Silva was the first to walk back when he played a loose shot off Mushtafizur Rahman to wicketkeeper Liton Das after he had made 173 runs off 229 deliveries. 

He had hit 21 times towards the rope and once over it during his dominant knock, partnered with Mendis, who was equally strong on the other end. 

Mendis had composure during his knock but lost his rhythm, attempting to pull above the man over midwicket just four runs short of 200. 

He was caught easily by Rahim off the bowling of Taijul Islam for 196, which came off 327 deliveries inclusive of 22 fours and two sixes. 

Sri Lanka had reached 415 when Mendis had to walk back but Roshen Silva, who joined him for de Silva continued the momentum. 

Silva was unbeaten on 87 off 173 balls inclusive of five fours and a six while skipper Dinesh Chandimal batted rather cautiously for his knock of 37 not out, which came off 90 ball and had a four. 

Bangladesh elected to bat and was sitting strong after a partnership of 236 runs between Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim.

They made a solid start as openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes put up 72 runs before the epic partnership between Mominul and Rahim.

Haque faced 214 deliveries and hit 16 fours and a six during his knock of 176  before falling for Rangana Herath as one of his three victims. 

Rahim made 92, after he had faced 192 deliveries and hit 10 boundaries.

Skipper Mahmadullah remained unbeaten on 83 off 134 inclusive of seven fours and two sixes when Bangladesh was bowled out. 

Herath and Suranga Lakmal captured three wickets each while Lakshan Sandakan claimed a couple. 

Bangladesh 513 all out (129.5) (Tamim Iqbal 52, Imrul Kayes 40, Mominul Haque 176, Mushfiqur Rahim 92, Mahmadullah 83n.o, Mehedy Hossain 20, Sunzamul Islam 24, Suranga Lakmal 3/68, Rangana Herath 3/150, Lakshan Sandakan 2/92)

Sri Lanka 504 for 3 wickets (138) (Kusal Mendis 196, Dhananjaya de Silva 173, Roshen Silva 87n.o, Dinesh Chandimal 37n.o.)
Still to bat: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Roshen Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Kumara