As expected, the home side ensured the series victory taking 2-0 lead with one match in hand after winning the second match by an innings and 90 runs when they folded the Bangladesh second innings for 299.

However, it was not all about the ugly episodes like the first two days and the man who stood tall for Bangladesh to give some breathing space was none other than the new captain.

The defeat was almost inevitable after a first innings debacle when the Tigers were dismissed for 62 runs but the 22-year-old Ashraful, now the only Bangladeshi to score four tons, was not ready to leave the stage without a fight during his 129-run unbeaten knock that contained 18 eye-catching boundaries.

He got tremendous support from Mushfiqur (80) to give the rich Sri Lankan attack a hard time.

"Ashraful once again showed that he has the talent to play this kind of a quality innings. Bangladesh should look at this partnership because this was the way everybody should bat in the longer-version cricket. We toiled hard on the third day because of the excellent batting of the two," said man-of-the-match Kumar Sangakkar, who smashed 200 not out in his side's 451-6 declared, praising Bangladesh's efforts.

Everybody at the venue sensed a quick finish when former Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar was bowled by Dilhara Fernando in the fourth over of the third morning as the visitors were reduced to 78-5 after resuming on 69-4.

But 18-year-old Mushfiqur joined his captain to defy the Sri Lankans by showing in his third Test that he has a long future.

In a rare picture of Bangladesh cricket, the two petite batsmen fought against a world-class attack during a record 191-run partnership in a way that they never looked like getting out.

Their sixth-wicket heroics surpassed the Tigers' previous best for any stand, 187 between Shahriar Nafees and Habibul Bashar against Australia at Fatullah for the second wicket.

Their efforts raised hopes of shrugging off an innings defeat as well as taking the match into the fourth day but Mushfiqur's dismissal saw Bangladesh lose their last four wickets inside nine overs and 30 runs.

Spin wizard Muttiah Muralidaran remained wicket-less for 26 overs before giving the much-awaited breakthrough by taking a return catch of Mushfiqur, who drove a flighted delivery to put an end to his 183-ball essay. He hit nine boundaries and a six.

It was a treat to watch the way the young right-hander stepped out to loft Muralidaran over the wide long-off fence before playing over long-off in the next over. The two shots virtually relieved the pressure off his partner during a nearly four-hour stay.

On a few occasions, luck favoured the pair but they made most of the opportunities to go to lunch at 174-5 and added further 87 runs in the second session without any damage.

Ashraful, who was three overnight, was as good as he had been during his previous centuries. The highly talented right-hander showed rare patience and determination against his happy hunting side to occupy the crease for 314 minutes.

Ashraful, who now has three hundreds against the Lankans, was frustrated in the end to run out of partners.

Left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas caused the damage by taking the new ball and the veteran was on a hattrick after removing Mohammad Sharif (2) and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (0) in successive deliveries.

Vaas was the most successful bowler in the second innings with 4-55.