Ashraful, Rahim Leads in Record Stand

Galle: Mohammad Ashraful was unbeaten on 189 and captain Mushfiqur Rahim (152) as put together a splendid unbeaten 261 run stand to take Bdesh to 438 for 4 at stumps in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 570/4 on the third day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Bangladesh trail by 132 runs.

Ashraful, playing his first Test in more than a year, was unbeaten on 278 as the tourists reached 438-4 in their first innings at tea on the third day in reply to Sri Lanka's 570-4 declared.

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on a solid 152 at the stump. He has so far put on record 261 for the fifth wicket with Ashraful, the pair denying Sri Lanka success in the afternoon session with their impressive knocks.

Ashraful, 65 overnight, reached his sixth Test century, and the fifth against Sri Lanka, with an aggressive shot, firmly driving unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis through the covers for a four in the morning.

He has so far hit one six and 20 fours in his 398-ball knock.

Rahim also hit second Test century his unbeaten 238-ball knock which contained 18 fours and a six, including two in an over from paceman Nuwan Kulasekara.

Debutant Mominul Haque also impressed, scoring an 83-ball 55 with nine fours. He added 105 for the third wicket with Ashraful before being caught at first slip by skipper Angelo Mathews off Kulasekara.

The left-hander added 20 runs to his overnight score of 35.

Sri Lanka struck again when left-arm spinner Rangana Herath had Mohammad Mahmudullah stumped for no score to reduce Bangladesh to 177-4 before Ashraful and Rahim steadied the innings.

Brief scores
Sri Lanka 570 for 4 dec (Thirimanne 155*, Sangakkara 142, Chandimal 116*, Gazi 3-164)
Bangladesh 438 for 4 (Ashraful 189*, Rahim 152*)
Status Bangladesh trail by 132 runs