Sabbir Hossain :
The touring Sri Lanka took huge lead in the first Test against Bangladesh when the islanders declared their first innings making 730 for the loss of six wickets on the third day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.
Earlier, Bangladesh were all out for a meagre 232 in the first innings on the first day (Monday).
Later, Bangladesh were at the stumps with 35 for the loss of one wicket.
Sri Lanka have now a formidable 463-run lead.
Resuming with the over-night score of 375 for the loss of five wickets, Sri Lanka added 355 more runs losing just one wicket. Mahela Jayawardene and Anjelo Mathews contributed together 179 runs in the sixth wicket partnership before Mathews were caught at the short mid-on by Marshall Ayub off spinner Shohag Gazi when the tourists total was 554 for the loss of six wickets.
After dismissal of Mathews, Jayawardene and Kithuruwan Vithanage put
on together 176 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket stand.
Jayawardene remained undefeated with 203 while Vithanage remained unbeaten with 103.
It was Jayawardene’s first Test double century while it was maiden Test hundred for Vithanage.
Jayawardene played 272 balls. His 416-minute superb knock was studded with 16 boundaries and four over boundaries while Vithanage used just 104 deliveries. His 125-minute marvelous innings was ornamented with 12 fours and two sixers.
Anjelo Mathews made 86 from 162 balls with seven shots through the ropes and one stroke over the fence.
Later, Bangladesh faced an early debacle when dashing opener Tamim Iqbal was caught at the point by Dilruwan Perera off Rangana Herath when Bangladesh’s total was 15 for the loss of one wicket. Tamim was dismissed for just 11 runs.
Marshall Ayub and Shamsur Rahman were at the crease with 11 and nine runs respectively before the bails were drawn for the third day.
Bangladesh have to score more 463 runs to avoid innings defeat.
