A marvelous triple century by Kumar Sangakkara steered Sri Lanka to pile up a mammoth 587 runs in the first innings against Bangladesh on the second day of the second Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday.
In reply, Bangladesh scored 86 for the loss of one wicket before the two umpires pocketed the bails for the second day play.
Bangladesh are facing daunting task as the home side have to score more 302 runs to avoid follow-on.
Sangakkara knocked a patient 319 from 482 balls featuring 32 boundaries and eight over boundaries. It was Sangakkara’s maiden triple century in his career.
Sangakkara and Kithuruwan Vithanage resumed their first innings with the overnight score of 160 and naught respectively on the second day.
Then, Sangakkara and Vithanage put on together 88 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Vithanage was trapped leg before wicket by Nasir Hossain for 35 when the islanders’ total was 402 for the loss of six wickets.
After dismissal of Vithanage, Sangakkara and Ajantha Mendis built another notable partnership. They contributed 100 runs in the eight-wicket partnership before Ajantha Mendis was trapped leg before wicket by Shakib Al Hasan when Sri Lanka’s score was 505 for the loss of eight wickets.
Mendis hit a polished 47 off 67 balls amid six fours.
After departure of Mendis, Sangakkara led his team alone before he was trapped leg before wicket by Shakib Al Hasan when the tourists’ innings came to an end.
Prolific all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was the day’s most successful bowler. He finished his worthy spell as 34-3-148-5. It was 11th five-wicket haul in Test cricket for Shakib, one of the best all-rounder of world cricket.
Nasir Hossain also shone with the cherry on the second day bagging two wickets at the cost of 16 runs.
Later, Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for a duck before the hosts opened their account. It was Suranga Lakmal who cleanly bowled out Tamim.
Shamsur Rahman and Imrul Kayes will resume their first innings today with unbeaten 45 and 36 runs respectively.
