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Tharanga wrests lead for Lanka with superb ton
3/10/2006
BOGRA, Mar 9 (AFP): Upul Tharanga slammed an impressive maiden century to help Sri Lanka take a handy first innings lead over Bangladesh in the second and final Test here Thursday.
The elegant left-hander struck a timely 160 not out as Sri Lanka, who were struggling on 43-4 at one stage, stretched their innings to 302-8 on the second day in reply to the home side's 234.
The 21-year-old opener smashed 19 fours and two sixes as Sri Lanka gained a 68-run lead with two wickets still intact. Lasith Malinga was keeping him company on a determined 12 off 64 deliveries at the close.
Tharanga, whose highest in two previous Tests was 47 on debut against India in Ahmedabad last year, earlier added 124 crucial runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Mahela Jayawardene (49).
Jayawardene hit seven fours off 105 balls before he was out playing a pull shot to Mushfiqur Rahim at deep mid-wicket, giving part-time leg-spinner Mohammad Ashraful a wicket off his first ball.
The Sri Lankan captain found himself in the middle after a twin strike from paceman Shahadat Hossain had rocked the middle order.
Hossain removed Thilan Samaraweera and Kumar Sangakkara early in the first session as Sri Lanka struggled after resuming on 25-2.
The seamer struck with the last ball of his first over of the day as Samaraweera (20) went for a drive but edged the ball to wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud.
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