Mehedi Miraz broke the partnership between the Sri Lanka openers at the stroke of tea as the second session ended after Lahiru Thirimanne’s dismissal.
Both Lankan openers were looking solid after lunch as they strung together a 114-run partnership. Taijul Islam and Bangladesh were also ruing a missed review after they did not review a close leg-before shout just a few overs ago. With Sri Lanka looking to go to tea without any loss of wicket, the batsmen were content to pad off a few deliveries.
Mehedi struck with the last ball of his over with an arm ball that Thirimanne, batting on 58, did not get in line of. He played at the delivery, missing it as it wrapped his pads. The umpire gave the out signal but Thirimanne chose to review, but to no avail as third-umpire agreed with on-field umpire’s decision. Captain Karunaratne was batting on 43 at the other end with tea called on day three of what was another extended session to make up for time lost yesterday to bad light.
Sri Lanka openers survive tricky period before lunch
Sri Lanka openers managed to survive the tricky period before lunch on day three, despite a pace barrage from the Tigers’ quicks on day three of the first Test at Kandy.
Taskin Ahmed and Ebadat Hossain bowled fast at good line, either drawing the batsmen forward or pushing them back. Lahiru Thirimanne survived a scare on the last over before lunch when Taskin’s delivery shaped in and the left-hander offered no shot, leading to umpire Kumara Dharmasena raising his finger. Thirimanne however reviewed and ball tracking showed that impact was in line, but the ball did not shape in enough. Sri Lanka went into lunch 11 for no loss after eight overs but Tigers will be geared up by what they have seen so far.
Tigers declare at 541 for seven
Bangladesh have declared at 541 for seven after batting out the 173rd over. Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on 68 as the Tigers added 67 runs in the morning session to their overnight score of 474.
Mushfiqur laced his knock with six fours. Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam did not trouble the scorers a lot after Liton’s deparature.
Liton departs after fifty as Tigers cross 500
Liton Das, who completed a half century this morning in the first session of day three against Sri Lanka today, was the first wicket to fall in the first session as the Tigers crossed 500-run mark.
Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on 55 at the other end as Mehedi Miraz came into bat after Liton’s departure. Play started early this morning to make up for time lost to bad light yesterday. Liton and Mushfiqur were diligent against the swing that likes of Suranga Lakmal extracted in the early morning.
Liton played one slightly away from his body and a thick outside edge went straight to gully as Vishwa Fernando got his third wicket of the innings. Liton departed after a 67-ball 50, laced with five fours and a six. He and Mushfiqur added 85 for the fifth wicket.