Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan finished with a career-best bowling figure before openers provided a steady start replying to Sri Lanka’s first innings total as Bangladesh had a successful outing on the second day of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Monday.
Nayeem, who was playing his first Test since February last year, claimed 6-105 while Shakib Al Hasan picked up 3-60 as Bangladesh bowled Sri Lanka all out for 397 runs in their first innings after they resumed an overnight score of 258-4.
They’re currently trailing the visitors by 321 runs.
Sri Lankan batsmen Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal added more 61 runs to their overnight score and took the visitors’ score over the 300-run mark during the first session of the day.
As like the opening day, Nayeem gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough on day two by trapping Chandimal (66) in front when the batsman tried to play a reverse sweep of his bowling.
Nayeem then dismissed Niroshan Dickwella (three) in the same over before Shakib removed Ramesh Mendis (one) and Lasith Embuldeniya (0) in successive deliveries to reduce Sri Lanka to 328-8 from 319-4 in the space of 21 deliveries.
Mathews then demonstrated a brilliant fightback with the number 10 and 11 batsmen - Vishwa Fernando (17 not out) and Asitha Fernando (one) and added more 69 runs to take their score close to the 400-run mark.
The 21-year-old local boy then forced Mathews to give a catch to Shakib at square leg and made him the only batter to be dismissed on both 99 and 199 in Tests.
Sri Lankan could have dismissed Tamim during the third ball of the second over of their innings but he was dropped at the second slip off Asitha’s bowling. A few moments later, it was revealed that the ball was no ball also so the batsman was saved in both the ways.
Both Tamim and Joy watchfully played the remaining overs of the day and also scored runs at a good pace to ensure a brilliant day for the hosts.