The match was evenly balanced at the start of Day 3 of the second Test match, in Mirpur. Replying to Bangladesh’s 365, Sri Lanka were 145/2 in their first innings, with captain Dimuth Karunaratne on 70 and nightwatch Kasun Rajitha yet to score.
They had a disappointing start to the third day, though, when Ebadot Hossain bowled Rajitha without score, while Shakib Al Hasan bowled Karunaratne for 80. He had struck nine fours.
However, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva ensured there would be no collapse. They put together a sensible partnership as Sri Lanka consolidated. They added 102 for the fifth wicket until the stand was broken Shakib had de Silva caught behind for 58. He had hit nine fours.
That brought Dinesh Chandimal to the crease to join Mathews, and Sri Lanka continued to slowly eat into the Bangladesh lead. They added 16 more as Sri Lanka reached stumps at 282/5. Mathews will resume his innings in the morning on 58, while Chandimal is unbeaten on 10.
It should be noted that this was not the most scintillating day in the history of Test cricket. It produced just 140 runs and three wickets. If there is likely to be any positive result in this match, it will probably need a dramatic Sri Lankan batting collapse. Chances are though, that, on this pitch, the match will meander its way to another draw.
Brief scores
Bangladesh 365 (Mushfiqur Rahim 175*, Liton Das 141; Kasun Rajitha 5-64, Asitha Fernando 4-93) lead Sri Lanka 282/5 (Dimuth Karunaratne 80; Shakib Al-Hasan 3-59) by 83 runs.