Sri Lanka v Bangladesh: Kusal Mendis ton puts hosts on top in Galle

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Monitoring Desk

Kusal Mendis hit a brilliant unbeaten 166 as Sri Lanka recovered from 92-3 to reach 321-4 at stumps on day one of the first Test against Bangladesh.
The hosts’ No 3 put on 196 for the fourth wicket with Asela Gunaratne (85), who was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed late in the day, as Sri Lanka gained the upper hand in Galle.
After a bright start, it was a tough day for Bangladesh and they struggled as the evening session came to a close, Sri Lanka accumulating 54 runs in the last 10 overs to set themselves up nicely for day two.
Having opted to bat, Sri Lanka lost opener Upul Tharanga (four) early on as Subashis Roy (1-58) skidded the ball through his defences and into the stumps.
Mendis joined Dimuth Karunaratne (30) but with an encouraging partnership beginning to take shape, the latter chopped on to give off-spinner Mehedi Hasan (1-66) his first wicket.
Dinesh Chandimal was the next to go, frustration finally getting the better of him as he slashed a Mustafizur Rahman (1-50) delivery to gully to end an innings that brought him just five from 54 balls.
Sri Lanka found themselves precariously placed as Gunaratne strode to the crease but by the time he departed 43 overs later, they were firmly in command.
Mendis batted superbly in reaching his second Test century, from 165 balls, and worked hard to ensure it would be a big one, while Gunaratne provided more than able support at the other end.
Taskin (1-48) eventually ended the stand in the closing stages of the day, Gunaratne playing on, but Niroshan Dickwella (14no) was positive from the off to ensure Sri Lanka ended the day on a high.