The day belonged largely to three of Bangladesh\u2019s seasoned campaigners \u2014 Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Litton Das \u2014 who collectively amassed 401 runs and constructed two commanding partnerships: 264 between Shanto and Mushfiqur, and 149 between Mushfiqur and Litton. By tea, Bangladesh looked set for a declaration-style score, possibly in the region of 600, with Mushfiqur inching closer to a double-century.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the game turned dramatically after a two-hour rain interruption late in the afternoon. With moisture reintroduced to the surface, the pitch offered just enough for Sri Lanka\u2019s bowlers, and seamer Milan Rathnayake took full advantage. The pacer, who had bowled tirelessly earlier with little success, suddenly found rhythm and reward, finishing with figures of 3 for 38 in 22.4 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rathnayake struck thrice in a decisive spell \u2014 cleaning up Jaker Ali with a sharp inswinger, drawing an edge from Nayeem Hasan, and then bowling Taijul Islam with one that nipped back. His breakthroughs, supported by Asitha Fernando\u2019s scalps at both ends of the day, sparked a collapse that saw Bangladesh lose five wickets for just 61 runs in the final 20.4 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asitha had earlier dismissed Shanto for 148 to end the massive second-wicket stand and returned to trap Mushfiqur lbw for 163 \u2014 a dismissal that stood on the umpire\u2019s call after a DRS review.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Debutant spinner Tharindu Rathnayake, who had been targeted throughout the innings, also got into the wickets column, removing a well-set Litton Das for 90 with a disciplined leg-stump line that induced a mistimed reverse sweep.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Until the weather broke, it was all Bangladesh. Sri Lanka's fielding had also let them down \u2014 they missed two run-out opportunities and dropped chances from both Mushfiqur and Litton. The latter had looked especially fluent, stroking elegant boundaries and attacking the spinners with confidence, especially in a brisk post-lunch passage of play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the pitch still relatively benign but showing signs of variable bounce and turn late in the day, Day 3 promises to be crucial. Sri Lanka will be hopeful of wrapping up the final Bangladesh wicket early and starting their response with renewed confidence after a morale-boosting evening session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief scores:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the pitch still relatively benign but showing signs of variable bounce and turn late in the day, Day 3 promises to be crucial. Sri Lanka will be hopeful of wrapping up the final Bangladesh wicket early and starting their response with renewed confidence after a morale-boosting evening session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n