GALLE, Sri Lanka, (Reuters) – Kumar Sangakkara struck his 31st test century to equal the Sri Lanka record held by Mahela Jayawardene as the hosts reached 361 for three on the first day of the first test against Bangladesh yesterday.
Sangakkara, playing his first competitive match since December after recovering from a finger injury, smashed the hapless Bangladesh attack to all parts before he departed for 142 after he was caught by Jahurul Islam in the covers off Sohag Gazi.
He was dropped on 111 when Mohammad Ashraful put down a head high chance at mid on off Gazi who took the other two wickets to fall.
“It’s a great privilege to equal Mahela’s record. Getting runs and scoring more hundreds sometimes you can say there is a selfish element, but if you keep doing that, you benefit and your side benefits as well,” said Sangakkara.
“It was very satisfying getting back into the runs. Going into this match I had only batted three or four days and I had worked really hard on those sessions.”
On a flat track, Bangladesh took the second new ball in the 81st over but bowled only four more before rain brought an early end to the day.
