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Visiting Bangladesh fought back by taking wickets, as many as five, but Sri Lanka still managed to inch closer to the 500-run mark on Day 2 of the first Test at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele Friday. The day started with Sri Lanka 291/1 on a seemingly placid track with skipper Lahiru Thirimanne on 131 and Oshada Fernando on 40. But Bangladesh bowlers, specially Taskin Ahmed, operated with purpose and claimed wickets at regular intervals even as rain play hide and seek. Then bad light forced early stumps, with Sri Lanka on 469/6 in 155.5. Niroshan Dickwella (64) and Ramesh Mendis (22) were batting, while Taskin got three wickets. Follow Day 3 updates and live cricket scores of the first Test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, being played in Pallekele:
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12:07 PM IST: Bangladesh started their reply with Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hassan adding 98 runs in just over 25 overs, but lost two quick wickets to hand Sri Lanka the advantage. Hassan departed after making 25 too Praveen Jayawickrama, while Najmul Hossain Shanto got out for a duck, to Ramesh Mendis. Iqbal's knock will be crucial. He's unbeaten on 70.
10:00 PM IST: That's quick! Second day's play started early to make up for the lost overs and soon, Sri Lanka declared their first innings in the hope to force an issue. A very good total of 493/7. Niroshan Dickwella was left stranded on 77 off 72. Taskin Ahmed got the wicket of Ramesh Mendis (33) to make it four.
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