(updates after Sri Lanka victory)
COLOMBO, July 5 - Sri Lanka overcame a spirited
Bangladesh fightback to win the second test by an innings and 90
runs on Thursday and clinch the three-match series.
Mohammad Ashraful led a brave fight-back with an unbeaten
129 but could not prevent Bangladesh losing.
The tourists produced a much-improved display on the third
day with Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim (80) sharing a record
191-run stand for the sixth wicket, the highest partnership in
Bangladesh's test history.
However, Sri Lanka soon wrapped up the game after Muttiah
Muralitharan broke through after tea, taking the last five
wickets for 30 to bowl out Bangladesh for 299 and claim an
unassailable 2-0 lead.
Veteran left-armer Chaminda Vaas finished with four for 55
after claiming the wickets of Mohammad Sharif (two) and Mashrafe
Mortaza (nought), both trapped lbw after Sri Lanka took the
second new ball.
Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando also chipped in with three for
60 from 17 overs.
Ashraful bounced back after a duck in the first innings with
a responsible knock, curbing his natural inclination to attack.
The 22-year-old mixed patient defence with some delightful
strokes during a fourth test century that spanned 236 deliveries
and included 18 boundaries.
Rahim, selected ahead of the more experienced Khaled Mashud,
provided solid support with a determined 80 from 183 balls, a
personal best and his first half century in test cricket.
Their partnership surpassed Habibul Bashar and Shariar
Nafees' 187-run second-wicket stand against Australia in 2006,
the previous highest by a Bangladesh pair in test cricket.
The third test starts in Kandy next Wednesday.