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Sri Lanka skittle Bangladeshi tail to take series lead

Offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan and fast bowler Lasith Malinga picked up five Bangladesh wickets for just 28 runs yesterday as Sri Lanka strolled to victory by an innings and 234 in the first Test.

Resuming on day four at 233 for five wickets after a patient but positive third day, Bangladesh's tail undid all the efforts of the top order by succumbing meekly at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club ground to give Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud was the first to go, bowled by Malinga through the bat and pad for just one run.

Muralitharan then deceived Mashrafe Morataza (9) with his doosra, an offspinner's delivery that drifts away from the batsman instead of breaking into him.

The Bangladeshi tail-ender went onto the back foot, anticipating a standard offspinner, but when it turned the other way he was trapped plumb leg before wicket for nine.

Malinga then struck twice in one over. First he removed the last recognized batsman, Shakib Al Hasan, caught on eight at short extra cover by rookie Malinda Warnapura with a delivery that bounced more than the batsman had expected. Rafique was bowled for a duck by an off-pace yorker.

Muralitharan wrapped up the match when Shahadat Hossain was stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene for one, giving the spinner another man of the match award for his match figures of 9-102.

On the first day Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and asked Bangladesh to bat first. His decision was justified as the tourists were bowled out for 89 runs, with Muralitharan snaring five wickets.

In reply, four Sri Lankan batsmen -- captain Jayawardene (127), Prasanna Jayawardene (120 not out), Michael Vandort (117) and Chaminda Vaas (100 not out) -- scored centuries as the hosts piled up 577 and declared.

Needing 488 runs merely to make Sri Lanka bat again, Bangladesh showed more grit in their second innings, conceding only five wickets on the third day.

Having started well as Rajin Saleh and Javed Omar hit gritty fifties, Bangladesh were in a decent position at 227-3 with half an hour's play left on day three, but from there Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets for 27 runs.

The second Test begins on Tuesday at the Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo.
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