Bangladesh lose two wickets in battle to avoid whitewash

KANDY, Sri Lanka, July 14 (Reuters) Bangladesh's top order made a solid start to their second innings, reaching the lunch interval on 106 for two on the fourth day of the third and final test against Sri Lanka today.

Bidding to avoid a three-match series whitewash, opener Shariar Nafees led the tourists' resistance with an unbeaten 57 from 96 balls after Sri Lanka declared on their overnight score of 500-4, a lead of 369.

Skipper Mohammad Ashraful (2) was the other not out batsman at the interval, with Bangladesh still trailing by 263 runs.

Pace bowler Lasith Malinga ended a 47-run opening partnership, removing Javed Omar for 22 when Kumar Sangakkara held on to a sharp slip catch.

Off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, cheered on by a large home crowd hoping to see him reach 700 test wickets for his career, claimed his 695th victim shortly before the interval.

Former captain Habibul Bashar's disappointing tour continued as he slogged across the line and was bowled, ending a 51-run stand for the second wicket.

Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 2-0 after innings victories in Colombo.

REUTERS BJR HS1302