Taijul reduces Sri Lanka to 39 for two

Sri Lanka were two down for 39 in their second innings at the end of the fourth day's play as the first Test in Chattogram looks increasingly likely to end in a draw, however, the Bangladesh spinners, especially Taijul Islam, started to get some turn off the surface towards.

The visitors are still 29 run behind the hosts, whose first innings had ended on 465 -- a first-innings lead of 68 runs -- after No. 10 batsman Shoriful Islam was retired hurt.

Taijul effected both the dismissals -- first running out operner Oshada Fernando for 19 before bowling out nightwatchman Lasith Embuldeniya for 2. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was unbeaten on 18. 

Earlier, Bangladesh's first innings ended at 465 for nine after No. 10 batsman Shoriful islam was forced to retire following an injury.

That gave Bangladesh a lead of 68 runs in their first innings of the Chattogram Test in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 397.

The Lankans will bat again with three-and-a-half sessions of play remaining in this Test. Bangladesh used up 170.1 overs to score 465 runs, with Tamim Iqbal (133), Mushfiqur Rahim (105), Liton Das (88) and Mahmudul Hasan Joy (58) scoring the bulk of runs.

Rajitha Fernando, the concussion sub, was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka with four wickets while another pacer, Asitha Fernando, took three wickets.

Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim lost his leg stump trying to sweep one from Embuldeniya, right after Tea, having scored 105 runs off 282 deliveries. The diminutive batsman tried to sweep one which pitched on leg stump, and was bowled around his legs.

Mushfiqur smashed only four boundaries in the patient knock to bring up his eighth century in Test cricket.

Nayeem Hasan was joined in by fellow spinner Taijul Islam in the middle as the Tigers continued their slain-pace scoring in the first innings.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan was the latest to depart as Bangladesh find themselves on 436 for six at Tea after 155 overs of batting as the Tigers lead the visitors by 39 runs. Mushfiqur is unbeaten on 280-ball 104, featuring no more than four boundaries, and will resume the third and final session of the day with new batter Nayeem Hasan. For the visitors, Kasun Rajitha has been the pick of the bowlers with his four-wicket haul.   

A dejected Shakib Al Hasan walks back to the dressing room. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

The 35-year-old, playing his 81st Test, nudged an Asitha Fernando delivery for a boundary towards the fine leg to bring up his eighth century in Test cricket. Only Tamim Iqbal (10) and captain Mominul Haque (11) are ahead of Mushfiqur in terms of century tally. Bangladesh fans would be delighted to see the batter score a ton on the same day Mushfiqur became the first Bangladeshi batter to have reached 5,000 career runs in Test cricket.

Known as 'Mr. Dependable', the last time Mushfiqur reached three figures was on February 24 in 2020 against hosts Zimbabwe, after which the Tigers had played 10 Tests – in which Mushfiqur had 18 outings with the bat -- until the ongoing one.  

Sri Lanka would be pleased to have picked three wickets in the session, and also for being able to keep the run rate low, on a hot and humid day in the port city. Earlier during the second session, on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough had to sign off from discomfort and was replaced during the 139th over.  

Umpire Richard Kettleborough leaves the field from discomfort. Photo: Firoz Ahmed