Kumar Sangakkara became the second batsman in history to score a triple-century and a hundred in the same match as Sri lanka pressed for victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Friday.
The tourists, who led by 161 runs on the first innings, declared their second knock at 305-4 in the post-tea session of the fourth day’s play at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium. Bangladesh, set an improbable target of 467 to record a series-levelling win, were 12-0 at stumps with Tamim Iqbal on seven and Shamsur Rahman on four. Sri lanka will begin the final day needing 10 wickets to sweep the two-match series, while Bangladesh require another 455 runs in a minimum of 90 overs.
left-handed Sangakkara followed his 319 in the first innings with 105 in the second, joining Englishman Graham Gooch as the only batsmen to achieve the rare feat. Gooch made 333 and 123 against India at lord’s in 1990. Sangakkara, with 34 three-figure knocks already under his belt, added one more to the tally with a six off Sohag Gazi after tea, but was bowled off the next delivery. Dinesh Chandimal remained unbeaten on 100, having shared a fourth-wicket stand of 145 with Sangakkara after Sri lanka’s wobbled at the start.
Earlier, Bangladesh were bowled out for 426 in their first knock within 25 minutes of the start in reply to Sri lanka’s 587. Spinner Ajantha Mendis finished with six for 99, having claimed both the remaining wickets after Bangladesh resumed the day at 409-8. Mendis dismissed Mahmudullah with the morning’s fourth delivery, forcing a catch to short-leg before the batsman had added to his overnight score of 30. Al-Amin Hossain was bowled by Mendis for nine, leaving last man Abdur Razzak unbeaten on 11. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera supported Mendis with three wickets, while seamer Suranga lakmal took one.
Brief Scores
Sl: 587 and 305-4 declared (Kumar Sangakkara 105, Dinesh Chandimal 100 not out ; Mahmudullah 2-46) lead Ban: 426 (Imrul Kayes 115, Shamsur Rahman 106, Shakib Al Hasan 50; Ajantha Mendis 6-99, Dilruwan Perera 3-119) and 12-0 by 454 runs.