COLOMBO, Sept 20: Tillekeratne Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera smashed solid centuries during a record partnership to pull Sri Lanka out of trouble in the second and final Test against Bangladesh here on Tuesday. Dilshan, who scored a career-best 168, and Samaraweera (138) put on 280 for the fifth wicket as Sri Lanka recovered from 48-4 to post a healthy 449-7 at stumps on the opening day.

Their partnership was Sri Lanka’s best for the fifth wicket in Test cricket, surpassing the previous highest of 234 between Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya against Bangladesh at Colombo in 2002.

Dilshan, declared fit just before the match after being struck on the elbow during a practice session, hit one six and 19 fours in his fourth Test hundred, his first since March 2004. His previous beat was an unbeaten 163 against Zimbabwe at Harare in 1999.

Samaraweera hit 20 fours in his fifth Test century before being caught at short mid-wicket off Syed Rasel, bowling with the second new ball.

Chaminda Vaas also made merry, scoring a brisk 61 not out off just 57 balls with one six and 10 fours.

Cricketing minnows Bangladesh did well in the match’s opening hour when seamers Rasel and Shahadat Hossain shared four wickets during their disciplined spells to put the hosts on the back foot.

Jayasuriya, who became the first Sri Lankan to figure in 100 Tests, was one of the early victims.

But Dilshan and Samaraweera put the Bangladeshi attack in proper perspective with a vigorous counter-attack. They neutralised their rivals’ advantage in the afternoon session, plundering 161 in two hours.

None of the Bangladeshi bowlers could put pressure on Samaraweera and Dilshan, who continued to play strokes with freedom on an easy-paced track.

Dilshan, 28, was caught behind while attempting to cut medium-pacer Aftab Ahmed in the last session, but not before putting his team in a strong position.

Samaraweera, 28, began aggressively before settling down to play a supporting role. He continued to bolster Sri Lanka’s innings, adding 69 for the sixth wicket with Vaas.

Bangladesh, trying to level the series after losing the opening Test by an innings and 96 runs, surprised the hosts with four wickets in the opening 13 overs.

Shahadat struck in the sixth over when he had skipper Marvan Atapattu (11) caught behind with a delivery that moved away from the right-hander.

Jayasuriya’s hopes of playing a long knock in his 100th Test were dashed when he was trapped leg-before for 13 by Rasel.

Sri Lanka were in trouble when Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene fell in the space of 15 runs, but found their saviours in Dilshan and Samaraweera.

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