Openers Tamim Iqbal hit century whiel Mahmudul Hasan Joy half-century to lead a strong Bangladesh reply on the third day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Tamim Iqbal smashed his 10th Test ton - making 100 off 162 – after Mahmudul Hasan Joy departed immediately after lunch.

arlier, the hosts reached 157-0 at lunch after they began the day on 76-0 in response to Sri Lanka's 397 in Chittagong.

Mahmudul, a 21-year-old playing only his fifth Test, survived a reprieve on 51 when Lasith Embuldeniya dropped a catch at fine-leg off Asitha Fernando.

Tamim, unbeaten on 35 overnight, led the batting charge for Bangladesh, hitting 10 fours.

He started the day confidently dispatching left-arm quick Vishwa Fernando for two fours in the second over of the day before bringing his 32nd Test fifty off 73 balls with a boundary.

Mahmudul, who was batting on 31 overnight, was relatively sedate before he completed his second Test half-century in 110 balls when he flicked Asitha Fernando towards mid-wicket for a double.

Angelo Mathews had held the Sri Lankan innings together before agonisingly falling on 199.

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan claimed 6-105 for Bangladesh.