Jayasuriya five-fer helps SL clinch series

Sri Lanka completed a dominant victory over Bangladesh in the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club, winning by an innings and 78 runs to wrap up the two-match series 1-0. The hosts needed just 33 balls on the fourth morning to take the final four Bangladesh wickets and put the finishing touches on a convincing win.

Having conceded a daunting 211-run lead, Bangladesh folded for 133 in their second innings, with Prabath Jayasuriya leading the way once again. The left-arm spinner picked up 5 for 56 to register his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. He removed three batters on the final morning, including the stubborn Litton Das who fell to an outside edge.

Tharindu Ratnayake claimed the final wicket by trapping Ebadot Hossain lbw. The debutant Sonal Dinusha also impressed earlier in the match with a vital contribution on debut, while Asitha Fernando's incisive first-innings burst had helped set the tone.

The foundation of Sri Lanka's win was however laid by their batters. After bowling Bangladesh out for 247 on Day 1, the home side responded strongly. Pathum Nissanka led the way with a sparkling 158 while Dinesh Chandimal (93) and Kusal Mendis (84) ensured the lead swelled beyond 200.

From there, it was a matter of time. Bangladesh never looked in control in their second innings, and after a flurry of wickets on Day 3, the end came swiftly on the fourth morning. Litton's dismissal triggered the final collapse, with Nayeem Hasan falling to a smart stumping, Taijul Islam chipping one back to Jayasuriya and Ebadot's review against a plumb lbw doing little to delay the inevitable.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 247 & 133 all out (Prabath Jayasuriya 5-56) lost to Sri Lanka 458 by an innings and 78 runs