Liton, Shakib keep on fighting

Despite the early dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh kept on fighting with Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das providing the stability on the final day of their series-deciding Test against Sri Lanka in Mirpur today. 

Thanks to a resounding 96-run sixth-wicket stand between Shakib and Liton, Bangladesh not only dug themselves out of a deep hole but also were able to take an eight-run lead as Bangladesh reached 149 for five in their second innings at Lunch on Day 5.

Shakib, who did not shy away from playing his shots since coming down to bat, brought up his 27th fifty with a boundary through midwicket just in the final delivery before lunch. The premier all-rounder smashed a total of seven boundaries as he moved to 52 off 61 deliveries.     

Meanwhile, Liton, who carried on his impressive form and is on 48, approaching his 13th Test fifty, became the third-fastest batter from Bangladesh to reach 2000 runs in Test cricket, only behind skipper Mominul Haque and opening batsman Tamim Iqbal.

Mominul reached the mark in 47 innings while Tamim reached it in 53. Liton reached the mark in his 56th innings as Bangladesh are looking to save the second Test with two sessions still to go and five wickets left. 

Liton's batting partner at the other end in Shakib Al Hasan had reached the 2000-run mark in 58 innings along with former captain and now a BCB selector Habibul Bashar. 

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad both reached the 2000-run landmark in 67 innings.