Dhaka: Sri Lanka dominated two sessions today and the central figure was Dilshan who scored 162. He counter-attacked on what looked like a difficult surface to bat on and the ease at which he scored rubbed off on Kapugedera who remained unbeaten on 93. Warnapura's presence at the other end also helped Dilshan. Bangladesh just couldn't plug the runs after lunch and looked lost for most part.
Tillakratne Dilshan hit 162 to take Sri Lanka to 371/6 at stumps on the opening day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Saturday. The middle-order batsman smashed two sixes and 21 fours in his entertaining 165-ball knock to steady the visitors, tottering at 75/4 after skipper Mahela Jayawardene elected to bat.
Dilshan and Kapugedera 93* (117b 12x4, 1x6) added 173 runs in just 33.1 overs for sixth wickets. Dilshan also shared a 119-run stand for the fifth wicket with opener Malinda Warnapura 63 (151b, 6x4) to lead a remarkable fightback by the visitors. Warnapura hit six fours in his patient 151-ball effort before being trapped leg-before by part-time spinner Mohammad Ashraful.
The Bangladeshi bowlers struggled for most part of the afternoon as they took just one wicket, that of Thilan Samarweera (19), while conceding 163 runs off 30 overs. Samarweera inside-edged a Shahadat Hossain delivery on to his stumps to squander a good start.
Hossain, however, was severely punished by Dilshan who smashed one six and three fours in one over by the paceman.
Dilshan also enjoyed a slice of luck when he was dropped on 82 off Mehrab Hossain, with Junaid Siddique grassing a catch at first slip. Earlier paceman Mashrafe Mortaza picked two wickets in his first two overs to make early inroads into the Sri Lankan batting line-up.
Mortaza trapped opener Prasanna Jayawardene leg-before for no score before removing Kumar Sangakkara (five), who played the delivery on to his stumps.
The hosts then earned the big wicket of the Sri Lanka captain when Shakib Al Hasan induced a thin edge which was caught by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim. Jayawardene, playing his 100th Test, made 11 off 46 balls with one four.
Reports by session:
1st Session: Runs 65, Wkt 3, Ovr 27
2nd Session: Runs 164, Wkt 2, Ovr 30
3rd Session: Runs 142, Wkt 1, Ovr 33
Brief Score: Sri Lanka 1st innings 371 for six (TM Dilshan 162, CK Kapugedera 93*, Mortaza 2/48) vs Banglandesh.
Full Scorecard