Sri Lanka reach 71/2 at lunch on day 1

CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh bowlers removed both Sri Lanka´s opening batsmen to leave the tourists at 71-2 at lunch on Tuesday´s opening day of the second test at Chittagong.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka had survived the new ball but then lost both openers in quick succession, as Bangladesh profited from keeping pressure on the visitors with disciplined bowling.

Kaushal Silva, who scored a century in the first test, made a patient 11 before being trapped lbw when trying to sweep a Sohag Gazi (1-31) delivery.

Dimuth Karunaratne scored a more lively 31 but was out to a loose shot, cutting a short and wide delivery from Al-Amin Hossain (1-18) straight to point where Mahmudullah took the catch.

Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, the two most experienced batsmen of the visitors, would resume after the break on 15 and 10 runs.

Bangladesh made three changes to the squad that lost the first test by an innings and 248 runs.

Imrul Kayes replaced Marshall Ayub while Mahmud Ullah and Abdur Razzak were brought up to bolster the spin attack leaving out pacer duo Robiul Islam and Rubel Hossain.

Sri Lanka was also forced to make two changes due to the withdrawal of Rangana Herath, who had a knee injury, and Shaminda Eranga, who was nursing a thigh strain.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis and seamer Nuwan Pradeep came in to replace them. (AP)