Sri Lanka, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, had enjoyed the better of the first Test match against Bangladesh, in Chattogram. They had reached stumps at 258/4, with Angelo Mathews, who had completed his 12th Test hundred, on 114, and Dinesh Chandimal on 34.
The pair continued on the second morning untroubled. With their stand for the fifth wicket already worth 75, they added 61 more, before Bangladesh finally broke through. Chandimal had reached 66, including three sixes, when Nayeem Hasan trapped him leg before.
And that was the signal for a flurry of quick wickets to fall. Nayeem bowled Niroshan Dickwella for three before Shakib Al Hasan got in on the act bowling Ramesh Mendis for just one and dismissing Lasith Embuldeniya leg before first ball. Mathews watched all this unfold from the other end, having taken his own score past 150.
However, Bangladesh's hopes of wrapping up the Sri Lanka innings early faded as Vishwa Fernando resisted stubbornly. It was, therefore, unfortunate, when he was hit by a short ball and had to retire hurt for 17. The pair had added 47 for the ninth wicket. Nayeem then bowled Asitha Fernando, his fifth victim, for one.
But Vishwa, sufficiently recovered, returned to the crease. Mathews played his shots, and long vigil at the crease came to an end when he was caught off Nayeem for 199, a run short of his previous best in test cricket. He had faced 397 balls and struck a six and 19 fours.
His efforts had played a big part in Sri Lanka reaching 397. That wicket made Nayeem finished with figures of 6-105.
Bangladesh then made a confident start to their reply, with their opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudul Hasan Joy sharing an unbroken stand of 76 before close of play. They will resume on the morning still trailing by 321 runs, with all first-innings wickets in hand. Tamim is on 35 and Joy on 31.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 397 (Angelo Mathews 199; Nayeem Hasan 6-105) lead Bangladesh 76/0 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 35*) by 321 runs.