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Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim. (Photo Source:Sameera Peiris/Getty Images)

Bangladesh reached 484/9 on a rain-curtailed day of cricket at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, June 18.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim stretched their epic partnership to 264 in the first hour of play before Asitha Fernando dismissed the Bangladesh skipper. Shanto scored a brilliant 148 off 279 balls, hitting 15 fours and one six.

joined Mushfiqur in the middle, and the two wicketkeeper-batters added 149 runs off 265 balls for the fifth wicket. Rain came in midway through the second session, and players had to leave the field. The action resumed in the final session of the day. Litton took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers and amassed a quickfire 90 off 123 deliveries, belting 11 fours and one six. Mushfiqur's patient stay at the crease was ended by Asitha in the 141st over in the Bangladesh innings. The experienced campaigner scored 163 off 350 balls, with the help of nine boundaries.

Litton was dismissed in the following over as Sri Lanka started a fightback. The in-form Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, and Taijul Islam departed in quick succession as the Bangla Tigers slumped to 484/9 after being in a commanding position at 458/4.

Milan Priyanath Rathnayake was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka as he picked up three wickets, giving away just 38 runs in 22.4 overs. Asitha and Tharindu Ratnayake also bagged three wickets apiece. The latter, however, conceded runs at an economy rate of 4.

The touring side would hope that the last-wicket partnership between pacers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana takes them beyond the 500-run mark, which will give them a huge psychological advantage. However, the hosts should take confidence from the fact that the pitch is still looking remarkable for batting. They will look to end the Bangladesh innings as soon as possible. Play will begin 15 minutes earlier than the first two days on Day 3 to make up for the lost time due to rain.