The first-ever occasion when both the SL openers made centuries was when Sanath Jayasuriya (on left, 188) and Marvan Atapattu (207 n.o.) scored tons in 2000/01 against Pakistan at Asgiriya[/caption]
By M.L. Fernando
Sri Lanka’s both openers, Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (118) and Lahiru Thirimanne (131 n.o.) scored centuries, yesterday in the second Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Pallekele yesterday (29).
1. The first time both the Sri Lankan openers made centuries was when Sanath Jayasuriya (188) and Marvan Atapattu (207 n.o.) made the feat in 2000/01 against Pakistan at Asgiriya, Kandy. The opening partnership was 335 and Sri Lanka totalled 467/5. The match ended in a draw.
2. The second time both Sri Lanka openers made centuries was when Sanath Jayasuriya (157) and Marvan Atapattu (170) scored tons in 2004 against Zimbabwe in Harare. The opening partnership was 281 that time and Sri Lanka totalled 541 all out. Sri Lanka won the match.
3. Yesterday, Dimuth Karunaratne (118) and Lahiru Thirimanne (131 n.o.) both scored centuries as the two openers for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in Pallekele, Kandy on the first day of their second and final Test. The pair put on 209 runs for the first wicket. Sri Lanka were 291/1 at stumps.