100th Test: Tigers need 27 to win

Sports Desk: Touring Bangladesh reached 163 for 5 in 48.4 overs during the last session on day-5 and needed 27 runs more to win their 100th Test and level the series against Sri Lanka at P Sara Oval in Colombo on Sunday.

Shakib Al Hasan was batting on 12 from 33 and Tigers skipper Mushfiqur Rahim on 6 from 15 balls when the players left the field for tea.

Later, Shakib was sent back for 15 by Dilruwan Perera.

Tamim Iqbal scored 82 off 125 with 7 boundaries and one over boundary before being out and Sabbir Rahman scored 41 from 76 balls with five boundaries before being lbw. Both the batsmen were keeping the scoreboard moving by rotating the strike. They kept frustrating the hosts with their magical batting performance.

Tamim was batting on 22 from 43 and Sabbir on 6 from 20 balls when the players left the field for the lunch.

Sri Lanka’s stand-in skipper Rangana Herath sent back Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes in two balls to leave the tourists at 22 for 2 in 8 overs chasing 191.

Earlier, hosts Sri Lanka were bowled out for 319 in their second innings during the morning session of day-5.

In the morning session, Suranga Lakmal and Dilruwan Perera added 50 runs to frustrate Tigers, taking their ninth wicket partnership to 80.

Perera chipped in with 50 while Lakmal managed to score 42.

Perera fell victim to a run out when a misunderstanding arose between them.

In the next over, Lakmal gave a catch to Mosaddek in his effort to blast a Shakib Al Hasan delivery.

Shakib Al Hasan was the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh. He took 4-74 in 36.2 overs. Mustafizur Rahman captured 3-78 in 23 overs to rip the heart out of Sri lanka’s middle order.

Tigers are way to touch a milestone of winning their 100th Test. The target set by Sri Lanka is not a big one and it is easy to win the 100th Test if they keep their brains cool during the play.

risingbd/DHAKA/Mar 19, 2017/Amirul