Tamim Iqbal smashed an entertaining 112 and Nasir Hossain cracked 73 not out on Saturday to lift Bangladesh to 8-259 in the first of three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.

Iqbal hit 10 boundaries and a six from 136 balls, while Hossain needed belted three sixes and six fours from 59 deliveries at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium.

Asked to bat first after Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss, Bangladesh started positively by scoring 44 for the first wicket at nearly six runs per over.

However, the tourists were struggling at one stage in losing 3-19 to reach 3-63.

But Iqbal held the innings together in recording his fifth ODI century as Hossain hit out at No.6 to ensure Bangladesh posted a competitive score.