Sri Lanka pile on lead despite second-innings wobble
Visitors 102-6 at stumps on third day, extend their lead to 455 against Tigers
Tuesday, 2 April 2024
CHATTOGRAM, Apr 01 (AFP): Asitha Fernando claimed 4-34 as Sri Lanka bowled out Bangladesh for 178 to take a massive 353-run lead in the first innings of the second Test in Chattogram on Monday.
The visitors decided against enforcing a follow-on but were left struggling with their batting in the second innings, reaching 102-6 at stumps on the third day to extend their lead to 455 runs. Debutant pacer Hasan Mahmud gave Bangladesh something to smile about with 4-51, while fellow pacer Khaled Ahmed also troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen with 2-29.
But Angelo Mathews remained unbeaten on 39 alongside Prabath Jayasuriya, three not out, with the pair looking to extend Sri Lanka's lead with the help of the tail-enders.
Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando and Jayasuriya earlier chipped in with two each as Sri Lanka claimed nine wickets in two sessions to leave the hosts flattened. Zakir Hasan made the highest score for Bangladesh with 54, while Mominul Haque offered some resistance with 33.
Resuming on 55-1 with nightwatchman Taijul Islam, Zakir survived for more than an hour before Bangladesh lost their first wicket of the day.
Sri Lanka ended Bangladesh's dogged resistance when Vishwa Fernando, a left-arm quick, swung one in to uproot the leg stump of Zakir.
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto looked edgy from the start and faced 11 balls before being dismissed by Jayasuriya for one.