Sri Lankan openers put game in balance after Mushfiqur Rahim's ton

DHAKA: Sri Lanka openers Dimuth Karunaratne (70 not out) and Oshada Fernando (57) struck half-centuries to help Sri Lanka end the second day on 143 for 2 in the second Test against Bangladesh, here on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka are still trailing by 222 runs with Karunaratne and nightwatchman Kasun Rajitha (0) unbeaten at stumps on Day 2.

After finishing their first innings at 365 courtesy Mushfiqur Rahim's unbeaten 175, Bangladesh struggled to pick wickets early on as Sri Lankan openers put up a 94-runs opening stand. However, Ebadot Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan scalped the wickets of Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis respectively, helping Bangladesh put up a fightback late in the final session.

Earlier in the opening session of Day 2, Sri Lankan pacers kept the set batters Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim under check. They bowled at the right lengths and soon got their reward when they broke Das and Rahim's epic sixth-wicket partnership.

Kasun Rajitha removed Liton Das on 141, who could only add six runs to his overnight score. The right-hander succumbed to an offside-off delivery off Rajitha, edging it straight to the hands of the slip fielder. The pacer secured his maiden five-for later in the same over by dismissing Mossadek Hossain for a duck.

After two quick wickets, Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship with a crucial 49-run partnership with Taijul Islam. Mushfiqur shifted gears and started attacking the spinners en route to his 150.

The final wicket came immediately after the lunch break as Mushfiiqur in an attempt to keep the strike, attempted a double, but Ebadot Hossain (0) was run-out at the non-striker's end, thanks to a brilliant throw by Karunaratne from long-on. Hossain's wicket brought the hosts' innings to a close at 365 with Rahim stranded at 175 not out.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 365 (Mushfiqur Rahim 175 not out, Liton Das 141; Kasun Rajitha 5-64) lead Sri Lanka 143/2 (Dimuth Karunaratne 70 not out) by 222 runs. IANS

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