Kaushal Silva hit a fortuitous maiden Test ton to put Sri Lanka on top at Dhaka in the first of two Tests with Bangladesh.
The 27-year-old opening batsman, playing in his seventh Test, was dropped twice and held off a no-ball - all from seamer Al-Amin Hossain’s bowing - before raising his fourth format fifty.
He finally fell for 139, trapped in front by the spin of Shakib Al Hasan, but the tourists ended day two on 375 for five for a first-innings lead of 143.
Silva started the day with 30 of Sri Lanka’s 60 for none and was first shelled on 39 by wicketkeeper and captain Mushfiqur Rahim. Al-Amin had only himself to blame when his back leg dislodged a bail just before the right-hander edged behind. However, he could count himself unlucky again when Shamsur Rahman spilled Silva at second slip, this time 42.
While his fellow opener lived dangerously, Dimuth Karunaratne was relatively untroubled, having resumed with 28. He raised a half-century two overs after Silva reached the landmark.
Before lunch Shakib had Karunaratne caught at silly mid-off for 53 for Bangladesh’s sole breakthrough of the first two sessions. Kumar Sangakkara kept Silva company until after tea, steadily sharing 155.
Al-Amin’s persistence at last paid off when Sangakarra, on 75, edged to first slip where Nasir Hossain held on at the third attempt. Silva followed shortly after in an over that featured his sole six and 15th four.
Mahela Jayawardene combined for a stand of 72 until Shakib bowled the latter for 40. In the next set of six Suranga fell at first slip to Sohag Gazi for nought from what became the day’s last delivery.