Sri Lanka thrash Bangladesh to keep series-winning record intact 

It all came crumbling down for Bangladesh just after Lunch on the fifth and final day of their series-deciding Test against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

After Asitha Fernando bagged a 10-wicket haul to bundle out Bangladesh for 169 in their second innings, Sri Lanka got over the line in just 3 overs into their second innings as the visitors chased down the paltry 29-run target with ease to romp to a thumping 10-wicket victory.

Both Sri Lanka openers Oshada Fernando and Dimuth Karunaratne were in a hurry to finish the game off quickly as the former smashed Taijul Islam for two boundaries and a maximum to score 16 off the very first over in the second innings. Oshada finished the chase off with single off an Ebadot Hossain delivery as Sri Lanka kept their record of never losing a Test series in Bangladesh intact. 

The visitors claimed the two-match series 1-0 and have now won all the five Test series played in Bangladesh.   

Right-arm pacer Asitha was the one who starred on the final day as he returned career-best figures of six for 51 in an innings in Test. He accounted for the crucial wickets of Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan before wrapping it up by removing Taijul Islam and Khaled Ahmed in the second session.  

Asitha, who scalped four wickets in the first innings, also became the first Sri Lankan pacer after Chaminda Vaas to bag a 10-wicket haul in a Test. Asitha ended with match figures of 10 for 144 in 43.3 overs, which is also his career-best figure in the format.

It seemed like Bangladesh were on course to save the Test when Shakib and Liton had stabilised the innings after overnight batter Mushfiqur departed early on the day. 

However, their 103-run sixth-wicket stand came to an end just after Lunch when Liton (52 off 135) chipped one back to the pacer Asitha Fernando, who took a magnificent one-handed catch diving low to his right. 

Just three overs later, Asitha struck once again, this time removing the danger-man Shakib (58 off 72) as the left-hander gloved it back to the wicketkeeper trying to pull a short delivery. 

Bangladesh never looked to be bouncing back from that as the Tigers lost the rest of their batting lineup in quick succession.