Mushfiqur’s ton gives Tigers edge
Mushfiqur Rahim's eighth Test century was the highlight of fourth day's play while Taijul Islam's late all-round effort gaveBangladesh a ray of hope of winning the first Test against Sri Lanka in what is expected to be an exciting final day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.
Resuming the second innings, Sri Lanka faced a double blow at the fag end of the day, losing Oshada Fernando through a run-out effected by a brilliant Taijul throw. The left-arm spinner then removed nightwatchman Lasith Embuldeniya with a magnificent turning delivery that came into the left-hander and hit the timber.
The visitors will resume the final day on 39 for two, still trailing by 29 runs.
It was, however, Mushfiqur who stole the show with his sheer determination and patience as he became the first Bangladeshi batter to score 5000 runs in Test cricket on way to a century after more than two years.
The 35-year-old reached his century off 270 balls -- his slowest ton in Test cricket – to help Bangladesh take a first-innings lead of 68 runs. The Tigers were bowled out for 465 runs in reply to Sri Lanka's 397 in their first innings.
Earlier, Mushfiqur and Liton Das resumed the innings after a delayed start due to rain. The latter was eventually dismissed for 88 runs -- adding 165 runs in the fourth-wicket stand -- off the bowling of Kasun Rajitha, who ended up picking four wickets.
The other centurion Tamim Iqbal, who had retired hurt, was unable to add any runs when he came on to bat again and was dismissed for 133 runs.
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