Sri Lanka on course for Test-series sweep over Bangladesh
Cricket
Sri Lanka reached 102-6 at stumps to extend its overall advantage to 455 runs.
CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (AP) — Sri Lanka bolstered its chance to sweep the two-match series against Bangladesh despite suffering a batting collapse on Day 3 of the final test on Monday.
After gaining a huge lead on first innings, Sri Lanka reached 102-6 at stumps to extend its overall advantage to 455 runs.
The touring team bowled out Bangladesh earlier for a paltry total of 178 but chose not to enforce the follow-on.
Fast bowler Asitha Fernando claimed 4-34 as Bangladesh was dismissed for fewer than 200 for the third time in a row.
His fellow opener Vishwa Fernando picked up 2-38, including the wicket of Zakir Hasan, who top-scored with 54 after Bangladesh had resumed on 55-1.
It was a big blow for the home side when skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, on 1, clipped a ball straight to short mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya (2-65).
Vishwa then dismissed nightwatchman Taijul Islam for 22.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept up a tight length and received another reward when Asitha claimed two wickets in an over.
Playing his first test for a year, the dangerous Shakib Al Hasan was trapped lbw for 15 by a sharp inswinger.
Liton Das hit Asitha for a boundary off his second ball but the bowler exacted his revenge with a short of a length delivery that took the outside edge.
Shahadat Hossain was then caught by Kamindu Mendis off fast bowler Lahiru Kumara (2-19) for 8.
Mehidy Hasan was trapped lbw by Jayasuriya for 7 before Asitha wrapped up the Bangladesh innings by removing Mominul Haque (33) and Syed Khaled Ahmed for 1.
“We totally failed with the bat,” Bangladesh opener Zakir said. “We couldn’t bat to our potential. We couldn’t perform our roles. We couldn’t play as we were supposed to play.”
There was another clatter of wickets when Sri Lanka batted again, with Bangladesh fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud (4-51) and Khaled Ahmed (2-29) doing the damage.
“I think our bowlers got help from the wind,” Zakir said. “It provided for extra movement. They were 80-odd for six at one stage. Both sides got this help from the wind so 15 wickets fell today.”
At stumps, Angelo Mathews was 39 not out and Jayasuriya unbeaten on 3.
Sri Lanka won the first test by 328 runs.
