Crucial third day for Tigers

The third day of the second and series-deciding Test in Mirpur will be crucial for Bangladesh and their hopes of seizing control by taking a first-innings lead against Sri Lanka. The visitors will resume on 143 for two, trailing by another 222 runs.

Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was solid during an unbeaten 70 and, along with Oshada Fernando, forged a 95-run stand for the opening wicket to ensure Sri Lanka replied solidly to Bangladesh's first-innings total of 365.

Pacer Ebadot Hossain broke the partnership, removing Fernando for 57. But Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis joined together and were looking to end the day on a dominant note. They even found some luck when Shakib Al Hasan failed to hold on to a rather tough chance to send back Karunaratne, then on 47.

However, Shakib snatched back the momentum with a late blow, trapping Mendis (11 off 47 balls) leg before with a brilliant delivery angling into the right hander.

The Mirpur pitch still appeared to be better for batters, with little assistance on offer for spinners, meaning it will be crucial that the Tigers scalp early wickets and put pressure on the batting side.

Earlier on the second day, overnight centurions Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das continued confidently before pacer Kasun Rajitha removed the latter after a brilliant 141, breaking a record 272-run stand

Mosaddek Hossain, making a comeback to the team after nearly three years, was dismissed in ugly manner, not moving his feet and edging a wide delivery to the wicketkeeper to give Rajitha his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Mushfiqur then paired with Taijul Islam and added 49 runs for the eighth wicket before the latter was dismissed for 15 off pacer Asitha Fernando, who ended with four wickets.

Mushfiqur thereafter waged a lone battle, remaining unbeaten on 175 off 355 balls. Ebadot Hossain was the last Bangladesh batter to be dismissed after falling victim a run out.