Tigers bow to Lanka blitz

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COLOMBO: Bangladeshi batsman Mohammad Rafique, left, avoids a bouncer as Sri Lankan player Tillakaratne Dilshan looks on. — Internet Photo

Muttiah Muralitharan took 5-15 in 7.3 overs as Bangladesh were all out for 89 on day one of the first Test.
Sri Lanka's spin ace moved within 29 of Shane Warne's world record 708 wickets as Bangladesh narrowly averted their lowest ever total in Test cricket.
In reply, Sri Lanka reached 227-3 at stumps, Michael Vandort unbeaten on 87 after skipper Mahela Jayawardene had retired hurt with a calf strain on 93.
Shahadat Hossain took two early wickets but the hosts regained total control.
Things did not start badly for the visitors after they had been put into bat in overcast conditions at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.
Javed Omar and Shahriar Nafees, put on 28 before the collapse began when Nafees was caught down the leg-side off Lasith Malinga.
In the subsequent over, Chaminda Vaas forced Omar to edge an outswinger to Jayawardene - and Dilhara Fernando (3-33) was quick to get stuck into the action.
The fast bowler claimed the wickets of past and present skippers Habibul Bashar and Mohammad Ashraful - the latter hooking to deep square-leg.
Muralitharan, introduced in the 18th over, struck with his fifth delivery when Rajin Saleh missed a defensive shot on the back foot to be trapped lbw.
Sri Lanka's leading wicket-taker next trapped Saqibul Hasan with the 'doosra' to reduce the tourists to 61-6.
Hossain became Fernando's third victim, holing out at cover just before lunch, and after the interval Murali was unstoppable as he wrapped up the last three wickets.
Mashrafe Mortaza was skilfully stumped by Jayawardene and Mohammad Rafique fell lbw to an off-break.
Finally, Abdur Razzak - attempting an outrageous slog - was also stumped. Bangladesh had lasted just 32.3 overs.
Bangladesh clung to some sort of hope early in the hosts' reply.
Malinda Warnapura was lbw to his first ball in Test cricket and Kumar Sangakkara edged a pull shot behind.
But by tea the recovery was well under way with the score on 71-2. Jayawardene took toll of some indisciplined bowling, Vandort dropped anchor and Tillakaratne Dilshan added some lusty blows late in the day, reports BBC.