Oshada Fernando remained unbeaten on 65 as Sri Lanka lost three wickets in the first session
Lunch Sri Lanka 334-4 (Fernando 65*, Nissanka 0*, Taskin 2-86) vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh clawed back into contention with three wickets in a tight morning session on the second day. The visitors conceded only 43 runs in 26 overs, taking advantage of movement and a bit more turn on an otherwise flat pitch. Sri Lanka were perhaps guilty of batting too slowly but the bowlers bowled accurately, not allowing much room and width. Sri Lanka went to lunch on 334 for 4, after being 291 for 1 overnight.
Taskin Ahmed was at the forefront of Bangladesh’s comeback. He first removed Lahiru Thirimanne with a strangle down the leg side. Thirimanne added just nine runs to his overnight score of 131. In total, he struck 15 fours in his 298-ball stay. Bangladesh’s rewards came after a tight first hour in which they conceded just 22 runs in the first 14 overs of the day.
Taskin could have had new batter Angelo Mathews off his third ball but neither him, the wicketkeeper or the close-in fielders heard an edge, which was later confirmed by replays. But Bangladesh didn’t have to wait too long, as Mathews was brilliantly caught behind by Liton Das off Taskin couple of overs later.
Sri Lanka lost their third wicket of the morning when Dhananjaya de Silva, who made 166 in the first Test, fell to a catch at slip off Taijul Islam. Najmul Hossain Shanto, who dropped Dimuth Karunaratne on 28 on the first day, took the sharp chance that hit Das’ glove after de Silva edged the ball. Oshada Fernando remained steadfast at the other end, moving to an unbeaten 65 at lunch.
The three-pronged pace attack made all the difference in the first session. While Taskin took two wickets, Shoriful Islam and Abu Jayed also bowled tightly. They gave away just 34 runs in a combined 18 overs on the second morning.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84