Shakib puts Bangladesh in command against Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Shakib Al Hasan scored his fifth test hundred and was part of two grand partnerships to put Bangladesh in command of the second test against Sri Lanka on Friday by reaching 428-7 at tea on the third day.

Shakib faced 159 deliveries for his 116 runs, including 10 boundaries. He shared 92 runs for the sixth wicket with captain Mushfiqur Rahim (52) to steady Bangladesh from a vulnerable position.

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Then he combined for a 131-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Mossadek Hossain, who made a half-century on debut and remained unbeaten at the break on 55. Mehdi Hasan was with him with five runs.

An improved Bangladesh side playing its 100th test match now leads by 90 runs after Sri Lanka made 338 all out in its first innings. They scored 105 runs in the second session losing two wickets.

Bangladesh resumed the third day at 214-5, having to rebuild the innings after a midway stutter. Having reached 192-2 they lost three wickets close to stumps Thursday to be vulnerably placed on 198-5.

But Shakib and Rahim rotated the strike and scored boundaries off loose balls to quickly free themselves from pressure.

Rahim eventually departed for 52, at 290-6, when bowled by a sharp inswinger from fast bowler Suranga Lakmal two overs after the new ball was taken. He faced 81 deliveries and hit six boundaries.

Left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan had 4-131 for Sri Lanka. Lakmal had 2-83.

Saumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh a good start with a 95-run opening stand on Thursday.

Sarkar made 61 off 121 balls hitting six boundaries. Iqbal was dismissed for 49 having earlier survived two close lbw appeals.

Sandakan later took two wickets in successive balls and Lakmal took a wicket in the next over to leave Bangladesh 198-5.

Sri Lanka leads the two-match series after winning the first test by 259 runs last week.

 

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