Sri Lanka took control on the opening day of the second cricket Test against Bangladesh, propelled by strong performances from its top-order batters.

The visiting team reached 314 for 4 in 90 overs by stumps on Saturday, with Kusal Mendis leading the charge with 93 runs. Opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne contributed 86, while Nishan Madushka added 57 to Sri Lanka's total.

Sri Lanka win toss and bat in 2nd test against Bangladesh

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, playing his first international match since the 2023 World Cup, took 1 wicket for 60 runs in 18 overs.

Dinesh Chandimal (34 not out) and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (15 not out) will resume Sri Lanka's innings on Sunday. De Silva, who scored centuries in both innings of the first Test, will look to continue his impressive form.

Shakib Al Hasan: Saviour or Disruptor?

Bangladesh's debutant fast bowler Hasan Mahmud bagged 2 wickets for 64 runs.

Commenting on the day's play, Sri Lanka's Karunaratne said, “300-plus for four on Day 1 is a good score. There’s turn and seam movement with the new ball ... There’s a result on this wicket.”

Despite a fluent start by the tourists, Bangladesh missed several opportunities, with Madushka surviving a dropped catch on 9 and Karunaratne escaping a dismissal thanks to a fielding error.

Madushka reached his second Test fifty off 80 balls before being run out, while Karunaratne notched up his 37th Test half-century off 93 balls. Both batsmen frustrated Bangladesh's bowlers, sharing a crucial partnership of 114 runs for the second wicket.

Mendis, who scored his 18th Test fifty, appeared to be heading towards a century before being dismissed by Shakib. Mahmud also claimed the wicket of Angelo Mathews for 23.

Sri Lanka made one change from the first Test, with Asitha Fernando replacing the injured Kasun Rajitha. Bangladesh brought in Shakib and Mahmud for Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam.//