Lanka race to 8-wicket victory

Chittagong, March 3:

Sri Lanka scored a comfortable eight-wicket win over Bangladesh on the fourth day of the first Test on Friday. Sri Lanka, set a target of 163, notched up the remaining 138 runs in the first session to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.

Overnight 25-0, Sri Lanka gained momentum with a 90-run stand between opener Michael Vandort (64 not out) and vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara (46) for the second wicket. The pair dominated the bowling during their 20-over association but it was skipper Mahela Jayawardene’s brisk 25-ball knock of 26 that ensured that play did not go beyond lunch.

Vandort and Jayawardene knocked up 51 runs off 8.1 overs in an unbroken third-wicket stand. Vandort made up for his first innings duck with a 105-ball knock during which he hit seven fours, while Jayawardene smashed five fours.

Sangakkara, who had scored 69 in the first innings, struck five fours and one six before giving a return catch to left-arm spinner Enamul Haque.

Opener Upul Tharanga was the other batsman to be dismissed in the opening session. The left-hander went for a drive but edged the ball to Shahriar Nafees at second slip off left-arm seamer Syed Rasel. The second Test will be held in Bogra from March 8. Sri Lanka won a preceding three-match one-day series 2-1.