Sri Lanka in control against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka established a healthy first-innings lead in the first Test against Bangladesh but bad weather on day three forced an early end to play in Galle.

Mushfiqur Rahim's gutsy 85 helped Bangladesh avoid the follow-on but Sri Lanka claimed a substantial 182-run first innings lead to take control of the first cricket Test in Galle on Thursday.

After bad light forced early tea on day three of the contest, Sri Lanka needed two balls to claim the last Bangladesh wicket of Mustafizur Rahman and bowl out the tourists for 312.

Sri Lanka could not come out to bat for the second innings as almost the entire final session was lost to rain.

Resuming day three on 2-133, Bangladesh lost four wickets in the morning session but captain Mushfiqur waged a grim battle against the Sri Lankans.

The keeper-batsman joined forces with Mehedi Hasan Shiraz (41) in a 106-run seventh-wicket stand, only the second 100-plus partnership of the innings, to help them cross the 300-mark.

Mushfiqur brought up his 16th test 50 off 107 balls but fell to rival skipper Rangana Herath who claimed 3-72.

Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera also claimed three wickets, dismissing Mehedi and Taskin Ahmed in successive deliveries.