Herath strikes in second Bangladesh Test

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath grabbed two quick wickets to put Bangladesh under pressure on the opening day of the second and final Test in Colombo on Saturday.

The left-arm spinner dismissed skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mahmudullah in four overs before Bangladesh reached 155-5 in their first innings at tea.

Mominul Haque, who made 55 on debut in the drawn first Test in Galle, was unbeaten on 63 with Nasir Hossain three not out after the visitors had been put in to bat.

Rahim, who became the first Bangladeshi to score a Test double-century in the last match, was bowled for seven while Mahmudullah (eight) was caught by skipper Angelo Mathews, who dived from the slips to take a smart catch.

The 21-year-old Mominul put on 49 for the third wicket with opener Jahurul Islam to steady the innings after Bangladesh had lost two crucial wickets in the first session.

Hard-hitting opener Tamim Iqbal was trapped leg-before for 10 while Mohammad Ashraful, who scored a brilliant 190 in the last match, was run out for 16.

Jahurul scored a patient 129-ball 33 with just two fours before being caught by wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal off fast bowler Shaminda Eranga in the afternoon session.

Sri Lanka struck in the seventh over of the morning session when paceman Nuwan Kulasekara removed Tamim, returning to the side after missing the first match with an injury.

Bangladesh batted cautiously as they scored 62 in the first session, with a slow outfield at the R. Premadasa stadium also affecting their run-rate.

Ashraful hit the first four of the morning when he square-drove Eranga, edging the next delivery for another boundary. He added 35 for the second wicket with Jahurul.

Sri Lanka made one change from the side that played the opening Test, bringing in paceman Suranga Lakmal in place of spinner Ajantha Mendis.

Bangladesh replaced Anamul Haque, Elias Sunny and Shahadat Hossain with Tamim, Robiul Islam and Rubel Hossain. (AFP)