COLOMBO, (Reuters) – Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara struck half centuries as Sri Lanka coasted to a seven-wicket series-clinching victory over Bangladesh on the fourth day of the second and final test yesterday.
The win had been set up by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who celebrated his 35th birthday with career-best figures of seven for 89 and his 200th test wicket as Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 265 in their second innings. Dilshan hit a brisk 57 off 73 balls that included six fours and Sangakkara continued his amazing form in the series to score 55 from 85 balls with eight fours. It was the first time in four innings that Sangakkara had been dismissed below 100. He was named man of the series with a total aggregate of 441 runs.
The pair added 94 for the second wicket and after they were dismissed, Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews with 13 apiece carried Sri Lanka to their victory target of 160 for the loss of three wickets.
Earlier, Herath claimed a match haul of 12 for 157 and joined the 200 test wicket club as Bangladesh folded before lunch.
Bangladesh, having resumed at 158 for four, lost their ninth wicket two minutes before the scheduled lunch break which was delayed by 15 minutes for an extended morning session.
Scoreboard
Bangladesh first innings 240
Sri Lanka first innings 346
Bangladesh second innings (158-4 overnight)
Tamim Iqbal b Eranga 59
Jahurul Islam st Chandimal b Herath 48
Mohammad Ashraful b Herath 4
Mominul Haque c Karunaratne b Herath 37
Mahmudullah b Herath 0
Mushfiqur Rahim c Mathews b Herath 40
Nasir Hossain b Herath 0
Sohag Gazi c Lakmal b Herath 26
Abul Hasan not out 25
Rubel Hossain b Dilshan 7
Robiul Islam b Eranga 10
Extras (b-1, lb-4, nb-4) 9
Total (all out, 100.4 overs) 265
Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-96, 3-143, 4-143, 5-160, 6-171, 7-202, 8-228, 9-239.
Bowling: Kulasekara 12-0-36-0(nb-1), Lakmal 9-1-26-0, Herath 36-9-89-7, Dilshan 25-4-62-1, Eranga 15.4-3-39-2 (nb-3), Mathews 3-2-8-0.
