 "Sri Lanka all-rounder Kamindu Mendis remained unbeaten on 92, collecting seven fours and two sixes along the way. AFP")
Sri Lanka posted a massive 531 on the board to put themselves in the driver’s seat on Day 2 of the second Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, with middle-order batter Kamindu Mendis narrowly missing out on a third century on the trot.
The Lankans ended up breaking a world record in the process, posting the highest total in Tests without any batter scoring a century. The record had previously been held by India, who had scored 524/9 against New Zealand in Kanpur in 1976.
Bangladesh, in reply, reached 55/1 at close of play, trailing the visitors by 476 runs. Opener Zakir Hasan was unbeaten on 28 alongside nightwatchman Taijul Islam after Lahiru Kumara bowled Mahmudul Hasan Joy for 21.
Mendis was 92 not out when last man Asitha Fernando was run out for a duck, eight runs short of what would have made him only the fourth Sri Lankan to score three centuries in consecutive innings.
The right-hander, who scored 102 and 164 in the first Test, struck Taijul for two sixes in an over to come close to the feat.
However, Fernando fell short of his crease in a desperate attempt to change the strike.
Apart from Mendis, who was playing only his third Test, five other Sri Lanka batsmen passed the half-century mark: Dhananjaya de Silva (70), Dinesh Chandimal (59), Kusal Mendis (93), Dimuth Karunaratne (86) and Nishan Madhushka (57).
Impact Shorts
More ShortsShakib Al Hasan finished with 3-110 as Sri Lanka made Bangladesh toil for nearly two days after electing to bat first. Sri Lanka began the second day on 314-4.
De Silva, who scored 102 and 108 in the first Test, also raised the prospect of scoring three centuries on the trot before he was dismissed in the post-lunch session.
Chandimal was the only batsman to be dismissed in the first session, edging Shakib behind the stumps after making 59 runs.
Khaled Ahmed then trapped de Silva leg before in the first over after the lunch break.
The right-arm medium-pacer could have taken another wicket in his next over if Prabath Jayasuriya was not comically dropped by three slip fielders on six.
Mendis was declared caught behind on 35 off Mehidy Hasan Miraz but the decision was reversed after review.
Shakib hit Jayasuriya plumb in front to end his 65-run seventh wicket stand with Mendis, who was dropped by Hasan Mahmud on 60 at deep square leg.
Sri Lanka, who have never lost a Test series to Bangladesh, won the first Test in Sylhet by 328 runs.
With AFP inputs