Bangladesh rally in enthralling battle

You would be forgiven for thinking that after their wobble at the end of day two that Bangladesh would tamely capitulate to allow Sri Lanka to take control of the second Test in Colombo but the Tigers had other ideas.
A century from allrounder Shakib-al-Hasan helped power Bangladesh to a 129 run first innings lead at the P Sara oval though and set up a fascinating final two days.
The 129 run first innings advantage is a new record for Bangladesh who are playing in their 100th Test with their previous best coming against Zimbabwe in 2013.
Shakib (116) was complimented by a timely half-century for skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (52) who would have been feeling the heat after the BCB President put him on notice ahead of the Test.
Debutant Mossadek Hossain played a fine knock of 75 after the skipper was bowled by Suranga Lakmal and put on 131 with Shakib to put Bangladesh on top.
Bangladesh will be happy that there were contributions all the way down the order with seven batsmen going past thirty for the first time ever for the Asian nation.
A useful 24 from Mehedi Hasan would help the Tigers add some bonus runs at the tail-end of their innings. Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan took four wickets apiece with the latter going past 1000 first class wickets on day three.
Sri Lanka’s openers punched their way to 54 without loss by the close with both Upul Tharanga and Dimuth Karunaratne ending on 25 not out.
Bangladesh’s lead has been cu8t to just 75 but the pitch may start to deteriorate as this match heads into the final two days.
Latest
-
News
Harry Brook denied at the death as Lancashire snatch tie in Roses clash
Richard Gleeson trapped the new England call-up lbw with only one run needed for victory.
-
News
Brendon McCullum hoping to help England Test team lose ‘fear of failure’
The former New Zealand captain is looking to improve a record which has seen England win just one of their last 17 Tests.
-
News
Brendon McCullum: England can be the nation to reverse Test cricket’s fortunes
The former New Zealand captain has been appointed head coach of the England Test team.
-
News
Matthew Mott: Andrew Symonds came close to playing for England over Australia
The then-teenager was offered a place on the England A tour of Pakistan in 1995 after scoring four centuries for Gloucestershire.
-
News
Stephen Eskinazi stars in record-breaking Middlesex win over Gloucestershire
Paul Stirling made the first century of the Vitality Blast season for Birmingham Bears.
-
News
Ollie Robinson’s England hopes scuppered by back problem
The seamer was plagued by persistent back issues during the Ashes series and missed all three matches against the West Indies.
-
News
Justin Langer blames politics for Australia exit and laughs off England links
Langer was linked with one of the two vacant posts with England.
-
News
He deserves to be there – England’s Matthew Potts backed to shine in Test arena
Potts has received his first international call-up for the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
On this day in 2015: Trevor Bayliss appointed England head coach
The Australian leapfrogged initial front-runner Jason Gillespie to replace the sacked Peter Moores.
-
News
Andrew Strauss sets five-year goal for England men’s side to rule all formats
The former England captain and director of cricket is overseeing a high performance review into English cricket.