Sports Reporter :
Sri Lanka struggled to save from defeat as they scored 268 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the second innings against Bangladesh on the fourth day of the second Test at P Sara Oval in Colombo on Saturday. The islanders have now narrow 139-run lead with remaining just two wickets.
Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka made 338 in the first innings on the second day (Thursday).
In reply, Bangladesh piled up a massive total of 467 in the first innings on the third day (Friday).
The hosts were at the stumps at 54 for the loss of none in the second innings on the third day.
Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Upul Tharanga resumed their second innings with the over-night score of 25 each. But they could manage only three more runs on the fourth day as Upul Tharanga (26) was clean bowled by Mehedi Hasan Miraz when the islanders’ total was 57.
Later, ‘Wonder Boy’ Mustafizur Rahman and ace left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan played the key role to mop up the top-order to middle-order batsmen of the hosts.
Mustafiz and Shakib claimed altogether six wickets sharing three wickets each for 52 and 61 runs respectively.
After removal of Tharanga, Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis contributed together 86 runs for the second wicket partnership before Mendis was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Mustafizur Rahman when Sri Lanka’s total was 143 for the loss of two wickets.
Karunaratne fought back making a patient 126. His 244-ball innings was studded with 10 fours and a six. It was Karunaratne’s fifth Test century.
Mendis made 36 from 91 balls featuring two fours.
After dismissal of Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (5) was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Mustafizur Rahman when the home side’s score was 165 for the loss of three wickets. Then Shakib Al Hasan trapped leg before wicket Asela Gunaratne for just seven runs when Sri Lanka’s total was 176 for the loss of four wickets.
Fourth-down Dhananjaya de Silva was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Mustafizur Rahman when the hosts’ score was 177 for the loss of five wickets.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella was caught by Mushfiqur Rahim off Shakib Al Hasan when Sri Lanka’s total was 190 for the loss of six wickets.
Karunaratne was the big wicket for Bangladesh. He was caught at the first slip from a delivery of Shakib Al Hasan when Sri Lanka’s score was 217 for the loss of seven wickets.
Then Rangana Herath (9) was trapped leg before wicket by Taijul Islam when the hosts’ total was 238 for the loss of eight wickets.
Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan added 30 runs for the ninth wicket partnership.
Perera was on 26 while Lakmal was on 16 before the two umpires pocketted the bails for the fourth day.
Taijul Islam and Mehedi Hasan Miraz took one wicket each for 31 and 67 runs respectively.
