Bangladesh struggle during first-innings reply

Jan 04, 2009

Chamara Kapugedera was the first wicket to fall on the second day, leg before to Shakib Al Hasan for 96•AFP

Shakib removed Muttiah Muralitharan and Dilhara Fernando in his next over as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 384, having added just 13 runs to their overnight score•AFP

A 32-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Junaid Siddique and captain Mohammad Ashraful ended with Fernando removing Siddique for 28•AFP

Mendis then removed Shakib with the very next ball •AFP

Mashrafe Mortaza then dismissed Chaminda Vaas off the first ball of the next over as Sri Lanka were reduced to 376 for 8•AFP

Bangladesh were off to a horrendous start, as Chaminda Vaas accounted for both the openers - Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes•AFP

Asharful though battled bravely and was even rattled on occassions, one of which saw him failing to deal with a short one from Fernando•AFP

Ashraful was nearing his fifty but fell to Muralitharan, top edging a mistimed reverse sweep as Bangladesh looked in danger of conceding the follow-on•AFP

Ajantha Mendis then trapped Raqibul Hasan leg before for a duck as Bangladesh slipped to 33 for 3•AFP

The wickets continued to fall though. Mehrab Hossain jnr was out to Mendis for 18 after adding 35 runs for the fifth wicket with Ashraful.•AFP

However, Mashrafe Mortaza's crucial 63 guided Bangladesh away from danger, as they were bowled out for 208, trailing the visitors by 176•AFP