Sri Lanka in box seat with overall lead of 455 runs

Debutant Hasan Mahmud took four of the first five Sri Lankan wickets to fall in the second innings 

• 15 wickets fall on fast bowlers’ day

Sri Lanka occupied the box seat in the ongoing second cricket Test against Bangladesh despite 15 wickets falling on an eventful third day of the second cricket Test at Chattogram on Monday.

Bangladesh were dismissed for 178 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings of 531. In their second innings Sri Lanka were 102-6, leading overall by 455 runs.

Bangladesh resuming at 55-1 didn’t lose a single wicket in the first hour moving to 85-1. But then things began to unfold as the next five hours saw 15 wickets tumbling for 195 runs.

The day belonged to the Sri Lankan quicks who blasted Bangladesh out for their third sub-200 score of the series on a much flatter surface than they had enjoyed at Sylhet.

Sri Lanka were all over Bangladesh again as Vishwa Fernando struck twice getting rid of the two overnight batsmen Zakir Hasan for 54 (104 balls, 8 fours) and nightwatchman Taijul Islam for 22. Prabath Jayasuriya trapped the captain Najmul Hossain Shanto into a false stroke to terminate his short stay at the wicket for one so that Bangladesh were four down for 115 at lunch.

Asitha Fernando removed Shakib Al Hasan (15) and Litton Das (4) after the break to break the back of the Bangladesh batting and by tea they were all out for 178, handing Sri Lanka a massive first innings lead of 353.

Only Mominul Haque offered resistance playing a solid knock off 33 off 84 balls but none stayed long enough to stitch any meaningful partnerships with him.

Asitha Fernando who has a habit of cleaning up opposition tails led the way with four wickets bowling a testing line. Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara claimed two wickets each and Jayasuriya wheeled away at the other end to take 2/65 which included his 400th wicket in first-class cricket when he dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraj for seven.

Sri Lanka did not enforce the follow-on but decided to bat again and the Bangladesh pacers used the opportunity to display their skills on the surface. Debutant Hasan Mahmud bowled his heart out and picked up four of the first five wickets to fall as Sri Lanka were reduced to 89-6.

Angelo Mathews hung in there and Jayasuriya took Sri Lanka to 102-6 by the close, a lead of 455. It was an excellent show of fight by Bangladesh although it may not mean much in the end.