Mirpur, Bangladesh: Kaushal Sliva hit 30 and Dimuth Karunarate scored 28 to help Sri Lanka reach 60-0 at stumps on the first day of the first test against Bangladesh on Monday.
The Sri Lankans are still trailing by 172 runs after Bangladesh was bowled out for 232 in their first innings.
Earlier, Shaminda Eranga claimed 4-49 to give Sri Lanka an edge. His new ball partner Suranga Lakmal finished with 3-66.
Eranga was dangerous, bowling with high speed and troubling the Bangladeshi batsmen from the start. His decisive short-pitch deliveries were tough to negotiate in a pitch that still offered considerable assistance for the pacers.
Rangana Herath ended with 2-50.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 61, and Shakib Al Hasan made 55. No. 7 batsman Sohag Gazi hit 42 runs to help Bangladesh propel past 200. Debutant Shamsur Rahman made 33.
The rest of the Bangladeshi top-order batsmen failed to reach double digits, paying the price of being too aggressive, after Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first.
Rahim's 13th test half-century was studded with nine fours. He was the key in Bangladesh's revival.
Shakib also struck nine fours in his 55, his 15th test half-century. He was trapped lbw, attempting to sweep off Herath's delivery that ended the 86-run partnership with Rahim.
