Herath puts Bangladesh in a spin

Tourists pegged back by Sri Lanka spinner in 2nd Test.

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath grabbed three wickets to put Bangladesh under pressure on the third day of the second and final Test in Colombo.

The left-arm spinner removed Mohammad Ashraful and then accounted for well-set Jahurul Islam and Mohammad Mahmudullah off successive balls as Bangladesh reached 158 for four in their second-innings at stumps.

The tourists, trailing by 106, are now just 52 runs ahead with six wickets in hand. Mominul Haque was unbeaten on 36 with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim seven not out.

The stumble came after Bangladesh made a strong start, with Tamim Iqbal (59) and Jahurul (48) putting on 91 for the opening wicket.

Sri Lanka were earlier bowled out for 346 in their first-innings in reply to Bangladesh’s 240. They lost their remaining four wickets for 52 runs in 18.3 overs after resuming at 294 for six.

Off-spinner Sohag Gazi finished with three for 111 off 39 overs, while pacemen Abul Hasan, Robiul Islam and Rubel Hossain each took two wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2013.