Masmulla ton leads Sri Lankan reply

A 170-run stand between centurion Thilina Masmulla and Jeewan Mendis pushed Sri Lanka Academy's first innings' total to 376 for 6 at stumps on the third day. The hosts trail their Bangladesh counterparts by 65 runs, and with only a day left, the probability of a result is bleak.

Sri Lanka, resuming on 0 for no loss overnight, had a solid start with their openers adding 60. Yohan de Silva fell after a slow 73-ball 17, but fellow opener Masmulla combined with his captain Mendis to score at a run-rate of 5.36. Mendis hit 12 fours and a six in his 87, at a strike-rate of 75, before he was out to Farhad Hossain.

Masmulla went on to score a hundred but was soon dismissed for 117 by Mahbubul Alam. Nadeera Nawela made an unbeaten 60, but Sri Lanka were reduced to 340 for 6 after losing three wickets in six deliveries - legspinner Marshall Ayub took two in two and caught the third off the bowling of Suhrawadi Shuvo. Nawela, though, got support from Akalanka Ganegama, who was unbeaten on 24 at stumps.