Bangladesh on top after Day 3

Other than losing three wickets in quick succession in the second session, Bangladesh stayed in control for the most part of their third day's play of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today. 

Both Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das brought their fifties up and remained unbeaten on 53 and 54 respectively as Bangladesh reached 318 for three wickets at Stumps on Day 3 after having resumed the day on 76 for no loss. In reply to Sri Lanka's first-innings score of 397, the Tigers, however, still trail by 79 runs. 

The major blow for Bangladesh on the day has been Tamim Iqbal's forced departure following the end of the second session. Tamim, on 133 off 217 deliveries, could not continue batting after Tea after suffering a cramp. 

The southpaw, who scored a fluent century, his 10th Test ton, was retired hurt while being just 19 runs shy of becoming the first Bangladeshi to reach the 5000-run landmark. Mushfiqur, meanwhile, seems likely to be beating Tamim to the punch as he now remains only 15 runs short of the feat as he was already on 4932 runs in 80 Tests before the start of the Chattogram encounter. 

After Tamim was forced off the field due to the injury, Mushfiqur stitched a commanding 98-run stand with Liton in the middle to ensure Bangladesh's dominance in the game. Mushfiqur, who had a few close going his way, scored his 26th Test fifty off 124 deliveries during a knock that has so far seen two boundaries.

Liton was more aggressive among the two, continuing his tremendous form in the format as he brought up his 12th Test fifty off 97 deliveries by pulling Lasith Embuldeniya through midwicket for a boundary. Liton scored his runs at a rather brisk pace, smashing eight boundaries. 

But before Mushfiqur and Liton had taken control of the game, Bangladesh were left in a spot of bother, going from 162 for no loss to 184 for three.