Sri Lanka's top order responds after massive Bangladesh first-innings total
Sri Lanka produced a confident reply to Bangladesh's 541 for seven declared, with the top order batting well to reach 229 for three at stumps on day three of the opening test against Sri Lanka on Friday.
Sri Lanka started their first innings well thanks to a 114-run opening stand between captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne, but Bangladesh's bowlers struck three times on the day.
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Thirimanne fell at the stroke of tea after reaching his half-century. Oshada Fernando and Angelo Mathews were both out in the last session, leaving Sri Lanka still well behind the follow-on mark after Bangladesh declared at 541 for seven.
Earlier in the day, Mushfiqur improved from his overnight 43 to notch up his 23rd test half-century and help the tourists record the highest total in Pallekele. India posted 487 all out in 2017.
Mushfiqur was involved in an 87-run fifth-wicket stand with overnight partner and wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das, who scored 50.
Resuming the day on 474 for four, Bangladesh batted for 91 minutes and faced 18 overs adding 67 runs before skipper Mominul Haque called his batsmen back in the first session.
Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando took two wickets in the morning to finish with figures of 4-96. Suranga Lakmal accounted for the other wicket to fall in the morning.
Bangladesh's total was boosted by centuries from Mominul (127) and Najmul Shanto (163) as the pair put on 242 runs for the third wicket after they elected to bat first at the start of the two-match series.
BANGLADESH: Mominul Haque (capt), Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Abu Jayed, Taijul Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hassan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Saif Hassan
SRI LANKA: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.
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