Bangladesh bowled out in lowest ever test total

COLOMBO, July 3 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga bowled Bangladesh out for their lowest ever total in test cricket on the first day of the second test today.

The tourists, out for 89 in the first test, were bowled out for a meagre 62 in 25.2 overs in the first over after the lunch interval.

Bangladesh's total was 24 runs less than the 86 they were bowled out for by Sri Lanka in 2005, their previous lowest score.

Sri Lanka then batted cautiously for the rest of the afternoon, overtaking Bangladesh just before tea to finish on 65 for one with Malinda Warnapura on 36 and Kumar Sangakkara on nine.

The one casualty of the innings was first test centurion Michael Vandort (14) who was bowled through the gate by Mashrafe Mortaza.

Malinga ripped through the Bangladesh top order with the new ball after captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and chose to bowl first, finishing the innings with four for 25.

Muralitharan (4-14) provided support with fast bowler Dilhara Fernando (2-16), mopping-up the lower order after Malinga's brilliant new ball spell.

Only number three batsman Rajin Saleh, the only one to reach double figures, provided any resistance.

He occupied the crease for 62 balls for his 21 before being dismissed minutes before the break.

Malinga created the early problems with his extra pace and swing through the air as Shariar Nafees was pinned lbw for a duck in his first over.

Javed Omar (eight) battled for 36 minutes before edging an outswinger to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

In Malinga's next over, Habibul Basher (five) edged to slip and skipper Mohammad Ashraful (nought) fell for a leg trap and clipped a catch to a deep-set forward short leg.

Debutante Mehrab Hossain Jr. (six) was bowled out and Mashrafe Mortaza (nought) was caught behind after Fernando was introduced into the attack.

Wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim threatened a fightback with two quick boundaries off Muralitharan, but was deceived by the spinner's doosra and caught behind.

Mohammad Raffique (two) holed out in the deep and on the stroke of lunch Saleh edged a Muralitharan doosra to slip.

Bangladesh trail the three-match series 1-0 after losing the first game by an innings and 234 runs last week.

REUTERS PDS PM1646