Karunaratne leads Lanka’s response

Hosts still 312 behind Bangladesh’s massive first innings total

Dimuth Karunaratne led Sri Lanka to 229/3 in its first innings at stumps on the third day of the first Test, still 312 runs behind Bangladesh’s mammoth 541/7. There was little threat from Bangladesh seamers when the Sri Lankans started their reply but the two spinners — Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan — were rewarded for some tight bowling on Friday. Karunaratne batted for more than five hours for his 85 not out as play was extended on day three to catch up for time lost due to bad light on Thursday.