Sri Lanka openers reduce deficit to 75 runs vs Bangladesh

Colombo, March 17 (CRICKETNMORE): Sri Lanka openers Upul Tharanga and Dimuth Karunaratne whittled down the first innings deficit to 75 runs as the hosts reached 54/0 in their second essay at stumps against Bangladesh at the P. Sara Oval here on Friday. Vijay Hazare Trophy second semi-final, final rescheduled

Bangladesh rode on veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's brilliant 116 and vital contributions from Mosaddek Hossain (75), Mushfiqur Rahim (52), Soumyo Sarkar (61) to post a mammoth 467 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 338.

Lankan skipper Rangana Herath (4/82) and chinaman Lakshan Sandakan (4/140) shared eight wickets between them as the visitors fell in the final session of Day 3, according to a bdnews24.com report.

Shakib reached his fifth Test century off 143 deliveries cracking 10 boundaries. He stitched up a sparkling 131-run stand with Mosaddek for the seventh wicket to put Bangladesh in charge. The ace all-rounder was dismissed by Sandakan just before tea.

But Mosaddek continued the charge at the other end with a stroke-filled half-century and added 33 more with Mehedi Hasan Miraz (24) before Herath landed a double blow to cut the lower order resistance short.

Mosaddek hit seven boundaries and two sixes in his 155-ball innings before being the last man to fall in the final session.

Earlier, a 92-run recovery stand between Shakib and Mushfiqur helped the tourists score 102 runs in the morning session after a dismal final session on Thursday.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 338, 54/0 (Upul Tharanga 25 not out, Dimuth Karunaratne 25 not out) vs Bangladesh 467 (Shakib Al Hasan 116, Mosaddek Hossain 75, Mushfiqur Rahim 52, Rangana Herath 4/82, Lakshan Sandakan 4/140).