Muralitharan in the thick of things again

COLOMBO, SEPT. 6. Sri Lanka took command of the Asian Test Championship match against Bangladesh on the opening day, posting 246 for the loss of one wicket after bundling Bangladesh out for 90.

Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya hit a brisk 89 off 46 balls before falling leg before to Naimur Rahman. He hit four sixes and 11 fours in his chanceless knock.

At stumps, his opening partner Marvan Atapattu was unbeaten on 99 which included 14 hits to the fence. Keeping him company was Kumar Sangakarra with 49.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan sent Bangladesh crashing in its first innings with his deadly spell of five for 13 in 9.4 overs.

Bangladesh was put in to bat by Sri Lankan captain Jayasuriya after he won the toss. Fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, who jostled Bangladesh early, claimed three wickets for 47 runs.

The only Bangladeshi batsmen to show some resistance were Mehrab Hossain and debutant Mohammad Ashraful. Hossain faced 70 balls for his 27 before running himself out while Ashraful scored 26.

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