The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh faced daunting task to win over Sri Lanka when the Tigers scored 254 for the loss of five wickets in the second innings against the touring side at the close of the fourth day's play of the first Test of the Grameenphone Test Series at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Earlier, Sri Lanka declared their second innings making 405 for the loss of six wickets on the fourth day.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 178 in the first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 293.

Sri Lanka set a total of 521 runs to win for Bangladesh in the second innings.

Bangladesh are now 266 runs behind from Sri Lanka and the Tigers have five wickets in hand.

for Bangladesh in the second innings.

Sri Lanka resumed their second innings with 291 for the loss of four wickets after a rest day. The fourth day's play was not held on Monday last due to national parliament elections.

Mahela Jayawardene and TM Dilshan resumed their innings with 129 and nought respectively and then they added 95 runs together in the fifth wicket stand before TM Dilshan was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Shakib Al Hasan scoring 47 when the visitors total was 386 for the loss of five wickets.

After dismissal of TM Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene stayed at the crease for a short time as Mahela was dismissed by Mehrab Hossain (Junior) for 166. Mahela played 269 balls in his 392-minute innings, which was studded with 19 fours and a six.

Chaminda Vaas remained undefeated with 15. Bangladesh faced debacle as they lost their early two wickets for 72 runs.

Zunaed Siddique and Raqibul Hasan put on together 52 runs for the third wicket partnership before Zunaed was caught at the first slip by Mahela Jayawardene off Muttiah Muralitharan scoring 37 off 74 balls amid five fours and a six.

Earlier, opener Tamim Iqbal hit 47 off 53 balls including eight fours.

After dismissal of Zunaed, Muralitharan struck again as he cleanly bowled Raqibul for 24. At that time Bangladesh's total was 144.

Muralitharan got success again as Mehrab Hossain (Junior) was caught by substitute Chamara Kapugedara off Muralitharan. Mehrab returned to the pavilion scoring 23 and at that time the hosts total was 180 for the loss of five wickets.

Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan put up 74 runs in their unbroken sixth wicket stand.

Mohammad Ashraful remained undefeated with 70 runs. The skipper played 153 balls in his 170-minute knock, which laced with 11 fours.

Ashraful was the second Bangladeshi batsman who crossed the two thousand run land-mark in Test cricket.

Earlier, Habibul Bashar was the first batsman for Bangladesh who crossed the two thousand run land-mark.

Shakib Al Hasan hit 34 (not out).

Muralitharan was the day's most successful bowler with the cherry bagging three wickets for 85 runs in his 28 overs amid seven maidens.