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| March 10, 2006 | Friday | Safar 9, 1427 |
Tharanga’s maiden hundred puts Lankans on top
BOGRA (Bangladesh), March 9: Upul Tharanga slammed an impressive maiden century to help Sri Lanka take a handy first innings lead over Bangladesh in the second and final Test on Thursday.
The elegant left-hander struck a timely 160 not out as Sri Lanka, who were struggling on 43-4 at one stage, stretched their innings to 302-8 on the second day in reply to the home side’s 234.
The 21-year-old opener smashed 19 fours and two sixes as Sri Lanka gained a 68-run lead with two wickets still intact. Lasith Malinga was keeping him company on a determined 12 off 64 deliveries at the close.
Tharanga, whose highest in two previous Tests was 47 on debut against India in Ahmedabad last year, earlier added 124 crucial runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Mahela Jayawardene (49).
Jayawardene hit seven fours off 105 balls before he was out playing a pull shot to Mushfiqur Rahim at deep mid-wicket, giving part-time leg-spinner Mohammad Ashraful a wicket off his first ball.
The Sri Lankan captain found himself in the middle after a twin strike from paceman Shahadat Hossain had rocked the middle order.
Shahadat removed Thilan Samaraweera and Kumar Sangakkara early in the first session as Sri Lanka struggled after resuming on 25-2.
The seamer struck with the last ball of his first over of the day as Samaraweera (20) went for a drive but edged the ball to wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud.
Shahadat, who had dismissed Malinga Bandara on the first day, picked up another wicket with the first ball of his next over when vice-captain Sangakkara (0) was given lbw.
Tharanga remained composed even as wickets fell at the other end. After the century stand with Jayawardene, he added 65 for the sixth wicket with Tillekeratne Dilshan (33).
Dilshan was bowled by Mohammad Rafique while Farveez Maharoof (seven) and Dilhara Fernando (five) fell in quick succession to the other left-arm spinner Enamul Haque.
Scoreboard
BANGLADESH (1st Innings) 234 (Habibul Bashar 69; M. Muralitharan 5-79).
SRI LANKA (1st Innings, overnight 25-2):
M.G. Vandort lbw b Rasel 0
W.U. Tharanga not out 160
C.M. Bandara c Nafees b Shahadat 2
T. Samaraweera c Mashud b Shahadat 20
K.C. Sangakkara lbw b Shahadat 0
Jayawardene c Mushfiqur b Ashraful 49
T.M. Dilshan b Rafique 33
M.F. Maharoof c Mashud b Enamul 7
C.R.D. Fernando lbw b Enamul 5
S.L. Malinga not out 12
EXTRAS (B-5, LB-3, W-2, NB-4) 14
TOTAL (for eight wkts, 101 overs) 302
FALL OF WKTS: 1-4, 2-13, 3-43, 4-43, 5-167, 6-232, 7-251, 8-263.
TO BAT: M. Muralitharan.
BOWLING (to-date): Syed Rasel 19-8-42-1 (3nb, 2w); Shahadat Hossain 20-2-81-3; Mohammad Rafique 32-9-84-1; Enamul Haque Jr 26-3-71-2 (1nb); Mohammad Ashraful 4-1-16–1.—Agencies
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