'Have to keep it under 500'

Having conceded 374 for four after losing the toss on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong yesterday, Sri Lanka now have to prepare to bat long and deep to come back into the match and maintain their dominance over the hosts in the longer version.

That is a matter for batting consultant Thilan Samaraweera to hammer out with his charges, but in the post-day press conference he was aware of the need to get the remaining six Bangladesh wickets as quickly as possible today. It could have been worse for the tourists because at one stage Bangladesh were 356 for two, but pacer Suranga Lakmal then dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das off successive deliveries.

"I think the last two wickets were big," said Samaraweera, who was Bangladesh's batting coach till mid-2017. "We have to put more pressure on Bangladesh in the first session tomorrow, and keep them under 500. I think that'll be a good effort."

While everyone was expecting a raging turner, the pitch was a docile one on the first day.

"I feel till day three this is a good pitch. It will turn but slowly from then on," said Samaraweera before heaping praise on Bangladesh number three Mominul Haque, who was unbeaten on 175 at stumps. "Mini [Mominul] batted really well. He used his feet and the crease very well. We should have bowled better than that. It [374] is 40 runs too many for our part."