Top-order blitz puts Sri Lanka 314-4 in Bangladesh Test
Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis featured in a 114-run stand for the second wicket - AFP
A top-order batting blitz brought Sri Lanka to 314-4 and left the tourists firmly in command of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Saturday. Kusal Mendis top-scored with 93 in Chittagong while openers Dimuth Karunaratne (86) and Nishan Madushka (57) helped power the innings.
Dinesh Chandimal was batting on 34 alongside skipper Dhananjaya de Silva on 15 at stumps. Bangladesh struggled to make an impact after being put in to bowl, with Sri Lanka batting through the morning session without losing a wicket.
Madushka was run out attempting a double shortly after lunch but Karunaratne and Mendis drove the tourists forward with a 114-run stand. Hasan sent back Karunaratne, who chopped a delivery into the stumps, before the tea break. He struck eight fours and a six in his 129-ball innings, surviving a run-out scare on 18 after a mix-up with Madushka while taking a single off Hasan Mahmud.
Shakib Al Hasan denied Mendis his 10th Test century, forcing an edge to Mehidy at second slip. Hasan picked up his second wicket when Mehidy caught Angelo Mathews (23) from the same spot in the first over after the second new ball.
Chandimal struck two sixes to move past his early shakiness before helping Sri Lanka pass the 300-run mark with a four off Hasan.
Sri Lanka lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opening Test by a resounding 328 runs.
Veteran all-rounder Shakib returned for Bangladesh after a long Test absence, and the hosts also handed a debut to Mahmud. Sri Lanka brought Asitha Fernando in for injured Kasun Rajitha in their only change to the squad from the opening Test.
| SCORECARD | |
| Sri Lanka Nishan Madushka run out 57 Dimuth Karunaratne b Mahmud 86 Kusal Mendis c Miraz b Shakib 93 Angelo Mathews c Miraz b Mahmud 23 Dinesh Chandimal not out 34 Dhananjaya de Silva not out 15 Extras (b4, lb2) 06 Total (4 wickets; 90 overs) 314 To bat: Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando Fall of wickets: 1-96 (Madushka, 28.5ov), 2-210 (Karunaratne, 55.1ov), 3-263 (Mendis, 71.3ov), 4-289 (Mathews, 80.6ov) Bowling: Khaled Ahmed 10-1-41-0, Hasan Mahmud 17-5-64-2, Shakib Al Hasan 18-2-60-1, Mehedy Hasan Miraz 28-4-95-0, Taijul Islam 17-4-48-0 Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Capt), Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud |