Mendis, Mathews drive SL to position of strength

Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews stitched an unbroken third-wicket stand of 92 runs as Sri Lanka went from 73 for two to 158 for two in the post-lunch session of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram on Sunday.

The two right-handed batters played with ease as the visitors recovered from the two early breakthroughs to go to a position of strength.

Mendis, who has an 80-plus average against Bangladesh with two 190-plus scores in Test cricket, was batting on 54 while Mathews, the former Sri Lanka captain, was also unbeaten on the same score.

The Bangladesh bowlers, except for Shakib Al Hasan, took a pasting from the Sri Lanka batsmen. Shakib, who was brought into the attack in the 36th over, conceded nine runs in his 10 overs.

The only successful bowler for the hosts was off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, who dismissed the two openers in the morning session.