Sri Lanka openers struck half-centuries to help the visitors end the second day on 143 for 2 against Bangladesh in Dhaka. While Oshada Fernando fell for 57, Dimuth Karunaratne stayed unbeaten on 70 with Sri Lanka still trailing by 222 after restricting Bangladesh to 365.
The day, however, belonged to Mushfiqur Rahim, who struck an unbeaten 175, and Kasun Rajitha, who bagged his maiden five-wicket haul. Bangladesh had staged a remarkable recovery in the opening day when they went from being 24 for 5 to ending the day on 277 for 5. Head coach Chris Silverwood was left lamenting the too many 'hit-me balls' the bowlers had offered but was confident that they will be able able to do some quick course correction on the second day.
Litton Das was the first to fall on the second day - for 141 - as the 272-run stand with Rahim came to an end. Taijul Islam resisted for a bit while Rahim kept the runs coming but Sri Lanka too kept chipping away. Asitha Fernando ended with four with Ebadot Hossain becoming the last man to fall - to a run out as Rahim was left stranded.
Both Fernando and Karunaratne came out attacking and scored 84 in the first 22 overs to take the side to Tea without any loss. Fernando successfully reviewed a caught-behind decision against him to survive a close call while Karunaratne fetched his first boundary of the innings when he flicked Hossain behind square. The start was completely in contrast to the one Bangladesh made against the new ball on the first day. With wickets not appearing to come anytime soon, Mominul Haque turned to spin as early as in the eighth over as he brought on Shakib Al Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain.
Bangladesh finally struck in the fourth over post Tea when Fernando fell to a poor shot against Ebadot. The pacer could have had to two in the over but the team decided against a review against Karunaratne on the second ball of the over. Karunaratne was then given another reprieve when a sharp chance was dropped by the short leg fielder off the bowling of Taijul Islam.
Three overs before close, Kusal Mendis fell lbw to Shakib al Hasan after a patient 49-ball 11as Bangladesh managed to even things out but will be well aware there's plenty of work remaining to be done on the third day, especially on a good track. Cricbuzz
Brief scores: Bangladesh 365 (Mushfiqur Rahim 175*, Litton Das 141; Kasun Rajitha 5-64, Asitha Fernando 4/93) lead Sri Lanka 143/2 (Dimuth Karunaratne 70*, Oshada Fernando 57 ) by 222 runs.
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