Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis etched their names into Test cricket history as the third pair to score centuries in both innings of a match. Their remarkable feat helped Sri Lanka set a daunting 511-run target for Bangladesh in the first Test at Sylhet.
Resuming on 119-5, Sri Lanka lost nightwatchman Vishwa Fernando early, but de Silva and Mendis took control. De Silva reached his century with a single off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, while Mendis brought up his ton just before tea. The pair shared a 173-run partnership, becoming the third and fourth Sri Lankans to score centuries in both innings against Bangladesh.
Mehidy broke their partnership, but de Silva added 108 to his first-innings 102, while Mendis scored 164 after his 102 in the first innings. Their combined efforts helped Sri Lanka post a formidable 418 in their second innings.
Bangladesh’s bowlers toiled hard, with Mehidy claiming 4-74. However, Sri Lanka’s batting dominance proved too much to overcome.
The victory sets up an intriguing second Test in Chittagong, where Sri Lanka will aim to seal the series. They have never lost a Test series to Bangladesh, and their current form suggests they are unlikely to break that streak.
