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Bangladesh avoids follow-on

CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh tail-ender Mashrafe bin Mortaza hit a remarkable half-century on Sunday to steer the host away from follow-on, but Sri Lanka still finished day two of the second Test in a commanding position.

Sri Lanka was bowled out for 384 early on Sunday and was in a prime position to enforce the follow-on when Bangladesh slid to 145 for nine in reply.

However, Mortaza (63) and No. 11 Shahadat Hossain put on 63 runs for the final wicket — of which Hossain contributed just five — to avoid the follow-on.

At stumps, Sri Lanka was 13 without loss in its second innings.

Promising start

Bangladesh started the day promisingly, taking the last four Sri Lanka wickets for only eight runs within 25 minutes of the start of play, but its batting followed the pattern of the first Test, getting starts but being unable to form any good partnerships.

Sri Lanka paceman Chaminda Vaas (two for 21) got opener Tamim Iqbal (0) caught behind by Prasanna Jayawardene without a run on the board and then trapped Imrul Kayes (6) leg before. Spinner Ajantha Mendis removed Raqibal Hasan for a duck to have the home side at 33 for three.

Junaid Siddique and captain Mohammad Ashraful put on 32 runs for the fourth wicket before Dilhara Fernando bowled Siddique (28).

Bangladesh slumped to 90 for six after Mendis won leg before decisions with successive balls, removing Mehrab Hossain (18) and Shakib Al Hasan (0).

Ashraful (45) and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim raised the score to 122 when the captain was caught behind off Muttiah Muralitharan.

After tea, Rahim (21) was the next to go, stumped by his counterpart Jayawardene off Mendis.

Then Muralitharan had Enamul Haque (4) caught behind and Bangladesh looked condemned to a follow-on. However, Mortaza then took over, with his spirited 63 coming off 89 balls with eight fours and two sixes. — AP

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