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CHITTAGONG. — Mominul Haque hit a towering century to help Bangladesh take opening day honours in the first Test cricket against Sri Lanka in Chittagong yesterday. Mominul hit an unbeaten 175 as the hosts reached 374-4 at stumps after electing to bat first at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

The lefthander shared a 236-run third-wicket stand with former captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who fell just short of his fifth test hundred after scoring 92 off 192 balls. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, on nine, was batting alongside Mominul when stumps were drawn at the start of the two-match series.

Opener Tamim Iqbal gave the hosts a strong start with his brisk 52 and said it was “a fantastic day” for Bangladesh.

“We were very positive and attacking from ball one. It was nice to see.”

Suranga Lakmal struck with the second new ball to claim two wickets off successive deliveries and give Sri Lanka some respite late into the final session. — AFP.