Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, first Test, Scorecard

Kamindu Mendis walked in to bat with the team struggling at 57/5 on a spicy wicket in Sylhet after being put in to bat. 

Alongside skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, Mendis strung together a double-century partnership to take Sri Lanka to a good position on day one.

Mendis departed after his maiden Test hundred and de Silva followed suit soon after as Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets for 21 runs. 

Speaking on his first Test ton that came under pressure, Mendis said, "At that time, the goal for us was just to get settled at the crease, and once we did that, to set about playing a long innings.

"And after that our partnership got settled and we were able to carry on.

"Being five down for 50-odd is something that can happen in Test cricket sometimes. Their fast bowlers bowled really well, in good areas. The wicket also supported the seamers, as well as the overcast conditions."

Mendis, who was dropped off the first ball he faced, capitalised on the opportunity to counter the Bangladesh bowlers with some aggressive cricket. His 102 came at a strike-rate of 80.31 as the quick-fire partnership pulled Sri Lanka back into the game.

"I thought that the boundary on one side was short," Mendis explained.

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"I thought if I can hit the short ball, it will be good for us. Their fast bowlers bowled well, but they also bowled some bad balls. Dhananjaya and I stayed positive."

Mendis is just playing his second Test match and has grabbed the opportunity with both hands to make a place in the Test starting XI.

"I know it's very difficult to get an opportunity [in the Test side] because our Test team is very settled. In the last couple of years I worked tirelessly to get to this point."