Litton, Mushfiqur fifties help Bangladesh to post 318

Bangladesh were in control against Sri Lanka as the hosts reached 318-3 at stumps on the third day of their first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Tuesday (May 17).

Both Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das remained unbeaten on 53 and 54 respectively after having resumed the day on 76-0 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first-innings score of 397.

The hosts, however, are still trailing by 79 runs.

The major blow for Bangladesh on the day has been Tamim Iqbal’s forced departure following the end of the second session.

The southpaw, on 133 off 217 balls, could not continue batting after tea after suffering a cramp.

Tamim, who scored a fluent century, his 10th Test ton, was retired hurt while being just 19 runs shy of becoming the first Bangladeshi to reach the 5,000-run landmark.

Mushfiq, meanwhile, seems likely to be beating Tamim to the punch as he now remains only 15 runs short of the feat.

After Tamim was forced off the field due to the injury, Mushfiq stitched a commanding 98-run stand with Liton in the middle to ensure Bangladesh's dominance in the game.

Mushfiq, who had a few close going his way, scored his 26th Test fifty off 124 deliveries during a knock that has so far seen two boundaries.

Liton was more aggressive among the two, continuing his tremendous form in the format as he brought up his 12th Test fifty off 97 deliveries by pulling Lasith Embuldeniya through midwicket for a boundary.