Bangladesh pulled off a historic four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second Test at Colombo with opener Tamim Iqbal top scoring with 82 runs. The rare win for Bangladesh - just their fourth away from home and first against Sri Lanka in 18 attempts - ended the two-Test series in a draw after the visitors endured a 259-run loss in the opener in Galle.
Chasing 191, teenage batsman Mehedi Hasan hit the winning run after an anxious half hour in the final session, getting Bangladesh across the line in 57.5 overs. Tamim laid the groundwork with his 22nd Test 50, teaming up with Sabbir Rahman who made 41 runs and shared 109 stand for the third wicket with the left-hander.
Sri Lanka struck in phases through spinners Dilruwan Perera and skipper Rangana Herath, who grabbed three wickets each, but lacked the cutting edge to deny Bangladesh from celebrating their 100th Test match in style.
Bangladesh began looking nervous when Tamim -who faced 82 balls and hit seven fours and a six -was caught by Dinesh Chandimal off Perera just before the tea break. Perera then removed Sabbir through a successful review after the bowler's initial appeal for a leg before was rejected, giving Sri Lanka an outside chance for a win.
Mushifiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan got Bangladesh through to the tea break with 35 runs still needed, but Herath got a lucky breakthrough soon after the resumption as Shakib dragged a ball onto stumps on 15. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 22 with some support from debutant Mosaddek Hossain, who made 13 runs during the crucial period. Herath earlier in the morning gave Sri Lanka some consolution once he picked up two wickets in two balls to leave Bangladesh struggling at 38-2 at the lunch break. He first claimed opener Soumya Sarkar who charged down the pitch and was deceived by the turn and lofted a catch to Upul Tharanga at mid-off for 10.
Imrul Kayes edged the next ball to Asela Gunaratne for a duck. Perera and Suranga Lakmal frustrated Bangladesh for over an hour as Sri Lanka added 51 runs to their overnight 268-8 before finishing up for 319 in their second innings.
