/ 28 June 2007

Murali spins Sri Lanka to convincing win

Bangladesh slumped to an innings and 234-run defeat in the first test on Thursday with Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claiming a match haul of 9-102.

Bangladesh’s top order had resisted bravely on the third day but collapsed spectacularly at the start of the fourth, losing their five remaining wickets in just 4.4 overs.

Bowled out for 89 in their first innings, Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets for 27 runs to be bowled out for 254 in 87.1 overs.

Muralitharan was named the man of the match, snaring 4-87 from 36.1 overs to follow his 5-15 in the first innings.

The 35-year-old off-spinner increased his career haul to 683 Test wickets, closing in on Shane Warne’s world record tally of 708.

Muralitharan was supported by fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who started the day with a searing yorker that uprooted the middle stump of wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud (one).

Malinga followed up with the wickets of Shakib al-Hasan (eight), who was caught at short cover, and then deceived Mohammad Raffique (nought) with a slower ball.

Malinga finished with 4-80 from 17 overs.

Muralitharan wrapped up the game as Shahadat Hossain (one) was stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene.

The second Test in the three-match series starts on July 3 at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium. — Reuters