A bold century by Mohammad Ashraful [Images] piloted Bangladesh to 315 for nine at the close of the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka [Images] on Tuesday.

Ashraful hit 136 with three sixes and 15 boundaries before he was removed by Muttiah Muralitharan.

The spinner ended with three for 85 and is just two wickets shy of 1,000 in international cricket.

After winning the toss, the hosts opted to bat at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium and looked ill at ease from the start of the two-Test series.

Only one other batsman, opener Nafees Iqbal, scored more than 30. Pace bowler Lasith Malinga [Images] took three wickets and Malinga Bandara two.

Scorecard

Bangladesh (1st innings):
J. Omar c Samaraweera b Malinga 4
N. Iqbal b Bandara 34
H. Bashar lbw b Bandara 29
S. Nafees b Maharoof 27
M. Ashraful c Tharanga b Muralitharan 136
K. Mashud lbw b Muralitharan 6
A. Kapali c Tharanga b Muralitharan 16
M. Rafique b Malinga 17
S. Hossain not out 11
S. Rasel b Malinga 1
E. Haque jnr not out 1.
Extras: (b-11, lb-4, nb-15, w-3) 33.
Total: (for 9 wickets, 90 overs) 315

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-76, 3-81, 4-146, 5-210, 6-248, 7-293, 8-308, 9-314.

Bowling: L. Malinga 16-3-55-3 (nb-3, w-2) F. Maharoof 11-3-37-1 (nb-3), D. Fernando 17-4-50-0 (nb-8, w-1), M. Muralitharan 31-8-85-3 (nb-1), M. Bandara 13-0-61-2, T. Dilshan 2-0-12-0.