Sri Lanka in sight of huge win in first Test

Dhaka: Bangladesh`s fragile top order caved in for the second time in the match to leave Sri Lanka on the brink of a resounding win in the first Test in Dhaka on Thursday.

Bangladesh, trailing by a huge 498-run margin on first innings, struggled to 150-6 in their second knock by lunch on the fourth day at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera grabbed three wickets as the hosts lost five batsmen in the morning session after resuming at 35-1. Opener Shamsur Rahim was dismissed off the second ball of the day, fending at a vicious short ball from Shaminda Eranga and edging a catch to wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal. Number three Marshall Ayub had scored 18 when he gloved a bouncer from Suranga Lakmal to Kaushal Silva at short-leg as Bangladesh slipped to 50-3. The hosts reached 102 before Perera broke through by trapping Shakib Al Hasan leg-before for 25. Mominul Haque smashed eight boundaries in a fluent 50 off 57 balls, but the assault did not last long as he became Perera`s second leg-before victim. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled by Perera for 14 off what became the last ball of the session, leaving Nasir Hossain unbeaten on 11. With five sessions left in the match, Sri Lanka look certain to wrap up an emphatic win and take the lead in the two-Test series. Bangladesh, who were dismissed for 232 in their first innings, conceded their highest Test total of 730-6 declared. Three Sri Lankans hit centuries including Mahela Jayawardene, who hit an unbeaten double-ton.