Chittagong: Sri Lanka romped to 504/3 at stumps on the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Kusal Mendis hit 196 on his 23rd birthday, while Dhananjaya de Silva scored 173 as Sri Lanka cut the deficit to just nine runs in reply to Bangladesh's first-innings total of 513.

Roshen Silva was batting on 87 at the close of play on Friday alongside captain Dinesh Chandimal (37 batting). Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan Miraz have so far taken wickets for Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka batting coach Thilan Samaraweera lavished praise on Mendis and Dhananjaya. "Full credit goes to Dhananjaya and Kusal after we lost an early wicket," Samaraweera said after the day's play.

"They put on a 300-run partnership. After Bangladesh made 513 runs, we told the team that we should keep batting. Those two players set the tone, especially after losing an early wicket," he said.

Agencies