Bangladesh struggle in Colombo

Bangladesh were bundled out for 240 on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka after being asked to bat first, with the hosts losing Tillekeratne Dilshan in the first over of their reply.

<b>Bangladesh were bundled out for 240 on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka after being asked to bat first, with the hosts losing Tillekeratne Dilshan in the first over of their reply…</b>

After the first Test ended in a high-scoring draw, Sri Lanka put the Tigers in to bat first in the hopes of making early breakthroughs, and they managed to do just that.

Tamim Iqbal, returning from injury, could only make 10 before falling to Nuwan Kulasekara.

Jahurul Islam was then joined by Mohammad Ashraful, who got a ton in the first game, but this time he used up many deliveries for few runs, and was run out while taking a lazy single, for 16 off 47 balls.

This left Jahurul to bat alongside Monimul Haque till lunch, with the opener going at snail's pace and eating up 91 deliveries for his 22 runs, illustrating the differences between this pitch and the flat track in Galle.

Matters didn't improve for the Tigers in the afternoon as they lost three further wickets, with Monimul providing the only resistance. He was on 63 not out at tea, but had to watch as his team mates came and went.

Rangana Herath took two wickets in the afternoon, bagging Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim, both for single figures, while Jahurul was finally skittled by Shaminda Eranga, caught behind by Dinesh Chamdimal for 33.

The procession of wickets continued after tea when Monimul became Herath's third wicket, caught behind by Chandimal for a well-played 64.

A 59-run partnership followed when Sohag Gazi joined Nasir Hossain at the wicket, with the pair batting for almost an hour, but as soon as Gazi was stumped off Herath for 32, the end was nigh for the visitors.

Nuwan Kulesekera came back into the attack when the new ball became available and added to his lone wicket in the innings by striking twice in his first over with the new cherry.

First, Abul Hasan (4) was caught at second slip after limply prodding at one just outside off stump with the first ball of the over, before Rubel Hossain drove aerially and found Herath at mid-on who took a low catch.

Herath continued bowling with the harder ball in search of his fifth wicket and his perseverance paid off when Nasir Hossain was undone by a flatter delivery while attempting a sweep shot in search of quick runs and was trapped plum in front for a handy 48.

Sri Lanka's response started poorly when Tillekeratne Dilshan wafted at a Robiul Islam delivery wide outside the off stump and was caught behind off a faint edge.

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Nuwan Kulasekara, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Jahurul Islam, Mohammad Ashraful, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nasir Hossain, Abul Hasan, Sohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain, Robiul Islam

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