Bangladesh 86-1 in reply to Sri Lanka\\\'s 587

CHITTAGONG, Feb 5 (AFP): Kumar Sangakkara made a career-best 319 and joined the 11,000-run club on the way as Sri Lanka took firm control of the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Wednesday.

The tourists, who won the first Test by an innings and 248 runs in Dhaka last week, scored 587 in their first innings and Bangladesh replied with 86-1 by stumps on the second day.

Left-handed Sangakkara's maiden triple century was his ninth 200-plus knock, leaving him in second place behind Australian legend Don Bradman who had 12 scores of 200 or more.

Sangakkara, a 36-year-old veteran playing his 122nd Test, also became the ninth Test batsmen to reach the 11,000-run mark.

He now has 11,046 runs in the all-time list headed by India's Sachin Tendulkar (15,921).

"As a batsman, you always look at big scores," Sangakkara said. "There are 100s, 200s, 300s and Brian Lara has even got 400. Those are things you always try and chase when you have an opportunity.

"So I am very happy to have got into the 300-club at least."

The former captain said his next big aim was to help Sri Lanka play good Test cricket against the top sides.

"I have personally achieved quite a bit as a batsman, but the team's aim is to win a lot more Test matches, especially away from home," he said.

"Hopefully before I finish we will be able to beat some of the big countries in their own backyard. And keep playing really good Test cricket and keep improving."

Having started the day on 160, Sangakkara hit 32 boundaries and eight sixes before he was last man out before tea attempting to force the pace.

Bangladesh's reply began on the wrong foot when star opener Tamim Iqbal was bowled by Suranga Lakmal with the fourth ball of the innings.

But Shamsur Rahman (45 not out) and Imrul Kayes (36 not out) repaired the early damage by adding 86 for the unbroken second wicket.

Both batsmen were lucky to survive till close as Shamsur was dropped by Mahela Jayawardene on 36 and Nuwan Pradeep grassed a simple catch offered by Kayes just before stumps.

Bangladesh will still need to bat out a major part of the remaining three days to prevent a 2-0 series rout.

Tamim Iqbal led Bangladesh in Rahim's absence and Shamsur kept wicket.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka 1st innings:

D Karunaratne c

Mahmudullah b Al-Amin     31

K Silva lbw b Gazi     11

K Sangakkara c Gazi

b Nasir     319

M Jayawardene lbw

b Mahmudullah     72

D Chandimal c Kayes

b Shakib     27

A Mathews b Shakib     5

K Vithanage lbw b Nasir     35

D Perera lbw b Shakib     1

A Mendis lbw b Shakib     47

S Lakmal lbw b Shakib     0

N Pradeep not out     4

Extras: (b21, lb6, nb1, w2, pen5) 35

Total: (all out, 156.4 overs) 587

Bangladesh 1st innings:

Tamim Iqbal b Lakmal     0

Shamsur Rahman not out 45

Imrul Kayes not out     36

Extras: (nb5)     5

Total: (for one wicket, 25 overs) 86