Spinners take Sri Lanka closer to victory

Sri Lanka were five wickets away from a series win against Bangladesh after the tourists were restricted to 177 for five at stumps on day four of the second Test at Pallekele on late Sunday.

Chasing a daunting 437 to win, Bangladesh batsmen were troubled by Sri Lanka spinners Praveen Jayawickrama and Ramesh Mendis who took the five wickets on a crumbling wicket at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka set Bangladesh a formidable target of 437 by declaring their second innings on 194 for nine at the hill city of Pallekele. No team has reached such a large target in Test history. The greatest run chase in the history of Test cricket is the 418 made by the West Indies against Australia in 2003 at St John's in Antigua. The most successful run chase at Pallekele, a picturesque hill resort, is 382 by Pakistan in 2015.

Should Bangladesh succeed in forcing a draw with 150 overs left in the game, Sri Lanka risk falling to their lowest world ranking. Bangladesh, who are down to their last recognised pair, need another 260 runs to win with one full day's play left. Sri Lanka declared their second innings after lunch on 194 for nine and Bangladesh lost three wickets in the afternoon session finishing on 111 for three at tea.

Mendis claimed the big wicket of in-form opener Tamim Iqbal when he was caught behind by Niroshan Dickwella for 24. Debutante Jayawickrama, who took six wickets in the first innings, accounted for Saif Hassan and Najmul Hossain Shanto.

The delivery that dismissed Najmul pitched outside off stump, spun sharply, went through bat and pad and hit the top of leg-stump. After tea, Bangladesh lost captain Mominul Haque, who chopped a Mendis delivery onto his stumps to leave his side struggling at 134 for four.