Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test at Colombo, Day 3: Shakib Al Hasan’s hundred, Rangana Herath’s 1000th Fírst-Class wicket, other highlights

Day Three of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at P Sara Oval, Colombo belonged to Bangladesh, hands down.

Day Three of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at P Sara Oval, Colombo belonged to Bangladesh, hands down. The visitors added 253 runs in the day, taking their first-innings total to 467. Bangladesh had a few ‘brain-fade’ moments in last half an hour on Day Two, but their batsmen ensured there was no repetition of the same on the third day. Shakib Al Hasan’s fifth Test ton, Mushfiqur Rahim’s 17th Test fifty and debutant Mosaddek Hossain’s fifty were the highlights of their innings. For Sri Lanka, skipper Rangana Herath’s 1,000th First-Class wicket stole the limelight, though Lakshan Sandakan finished with 4 wickets, just like Herath. Let us take a look at the highlights from third day’s play:

21st anniversary of Sri Lanka’s World Cup win: Day Three of the Test marked the 21st anniversary of Sri Lanka’s historic World Cup win in 1996. The team from the island had shocked the entire world — few had given them a chance — by winning the title on this day in 1996. Considered underdogs, Sri Lanka won the tournament in style and set a new template for the way ODIs would be played in future. Sri Lanka’s 1996 win was the talk of the town in Colombo on Day Three of the Test. Commentators, fans, experts and social media users all remembered the historic day. Full Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test at Colombo

Interestingly, the chief architects of Sri Lanka’s victorious campaign — Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva — were present at the ground. Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s Chief National Selector, and Aravinda, SLC’s Advisor, were seen sharing a word on the ground. Their conversation naturally hogged the limelight. Asanka Gurusinha, another important member of the squad, was also at the ground as Sri Lankan team’s manager. Full Cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test at Colombo, Day 3

Shakib-Mushfiqur stand: Bangladesh needed their two senior most players to step up after mayhem in last the half hour on Day Two. Shakib and Mushfiqur rose to the occasion. Shakib, after living dangerously on Day Two, played sensible cricket on Day Three. He was cautious but got boundaries off loose balls. Similarly, Mushfiqur was a picture of caution blended with aggression from the onset. Not only did the pair get Bangladesh closer to Sri Lanka’s first innings total, but they also re-energised a side that looked a bit down at the end of Day Two. The pair infused a new confidence in the team, which was evident when Mosaddek and Mehedi Hasan Miraz batted. SL vs BAN, 2nd Test, Day 3: Hosts steady after visitors take lead

Shakib the saviour: Shakib addressed his side’s SOS call to perfection. Slamming his fifth Test hundred at a pretty brisk rate, he snatched the advantage back from the hosts. After a splendid show with bat, his side will need him to shine with ball on Day Four to make their 100th Test appearance special. BAN vs SL 2nd Test Day 4, preview: Hosts seek safe lead against mighty tigers

One for the future: When Mosaddek came out to bat, the opposition knew little of him. He looked nervy as well, which made him look more like an ordinary player. But what followed was enough to suggest the 21-year-old is one for the future. Mosaddek, with over 2,000 runs at an average over 68 in First-Class cricket, stepped out to hit Herath for a six. That eased things a bit. He then unleashed some delightful strokes and demonstrated a calm mind at the same time. Mosaddek farmed the strike when playing with the No. 11 and hit a few big shots to add quick runs before perishing for 75.

He had an impressive ODI debut, top-scoring for Bangladesh with 45* against Afghanistan. But this innings was more special, for it came at a very crucial time. He looked mature beyond his age. Tamim Iqbal had once said of him, “He may be 20, but his mental age is 45. I am astonished how he handles the tough situations like an experienced cricketer.” Mosaddek proved every word of it.

Herath’s 1,000 FC wickets: Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandara Herath was 3 wickets away from the 1,000-wicket landmark in First-Class cricket before the start of this match. He had got Tamim on Day Two, his 998th victim. On Day Three, after a long delay, he finally struck 2 in 2, making Mehedi and Mustafizur Rahman as his 999th and 1,000th victims in First-Class cricket. Overall, Herath became the 214th bowler in the world to achieve this feat and only the second Sri Lankan after — guess who? — Muttiah Muralitharan.