Bangladesh failed to take a stranglehold after Sri Lanka, led by its captain Dimuth Karunratne clawed back in style to leave the second Test evenly at the end of day two at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Karunaratne batted resoundingly to score 70 not out as Sri Lanka reached 143- 2, cutting the first innings deficit to 222 runs. Bangladesh were shot out for 365 in its first innings. The Tigers indeed created a record for the highest score in an innings in which six batters got out with duck. The record earlier was belonged to India who made just 152 against England despite its six batters being dismissed for nought.
For Bangladesh, openers Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Syed Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain failed to score any runs.
Mushfiqur Rahim was key in Bangladesh's revival, scoring 175 not out. Liton Das made 141 and added a 272-run with Mushfiqur after Bangladesh being slumped to 24-5 on day one.
Mushfiqur who showed an unwavering resolve smote 21 boundaries for his 175 not out which came from 355 balls. He stayed in the crease for 526 minutes, which is his second-longest knock in terms of times.
With hitting this superb knock, he had already passed 150 plus for the fifth time, the highest amongst the Bangladeshi batters.
Out of his nine centuries, five now was 150 plus, proving his knack to play big knock when he crossed the century. Rajitha struck in the eighth over of the day, dismissing Liton Das after Bangladesh resumed at 277-5. Liton poked a length delivery to edge behind the wicket to be out on 141 off 246 which included 16 fours and one six.
Three balls later, Rajitha took Mosaddek Hossain for a duck as the batter edged a delivery that moved slightly. But Mushfiqur remained firm and brought up his 150 from 291 balls, nudging a delivery by offspinner Ramesh Mendis past square leg for two. Fernando then removed Taijul Islam (15) and Khaled Ahmed (0) to take Sri Lanka closer to wrapping up Bangladesh's innings. But Mushfiqur though resisted and forced an extended lunch session, Ebadot's dismissal later denied him a well-deserved double century.
